A significant percentage of nursing home residents are reported to sustain injuries from falls. Most of these injuries are caused by avoidable factors, which is concerning because nursing homes are required to keep residents safe.
Here are three common causes of falls in these homes:
1. Inadequate staffing
Some nursing homes admit more residents than the number they can safely look after. If the ratio of residents to nurses or support staff is unbalanced, there is a high chance of a lack of proper supervision in the home. A resident who needs help using the stairs or getting to the bathroom may not have someone to help them. If they attempt to do the activity in question by themselves, they may fall.
Further, some medications increase the risk of falling. If a resident is not properly supervised after taking such a medication, they may be injured.
Inadequate staffing may also lead to the staff rushing through tasks since they have many residents to attend to. A staff member transferring a resident to a chair may do it quickly without paying attention. This can increase the chances of errors that can lead to a fall.
2. Poor lighting
Every area of a nursing home should be well-lit. Residents in areas that are poorly lit can fall. For example, when using a staircase that’s insufficiently lit.
3. Clutter
Clutter in a resident’s room or common areas is a tripping hazard. This is because it obstructs pathways, leads to poor visibility of other hazards and forces residents to make certain moves, navigating through it, which can destabilize their balance. Housekeepers should keep all areas clutter-free to ensure residents can safely move around.
Falls in nursing homes can cause broken bones, spinal cord injuries, head injuries or even death. If your loved one sustains injury from a fall, consider legal guidance to know how to fight for their rights.