Suppose you are in a nursing home where the elderly people are calm and enjoying their years of retirement.
There is nothing more important than making the image of safety and care to the public. Yet, lurking beneath this surface is a pervasive and often overlooked threat known as slip and fall accidents.
Such occurrences, which at first glance might appear insignificant, can be catastrophic to the lives of the most vulnerable residents in nursing homes.
It is important to point out that safeguarding these residents is not simply a legal issue but rather a question of ethics.
Moreover, if your loved one has been injured due to the careless attitude of nursing home staff, then you should contact a reputable slip-and-fall accident lawyer to get compensation for the damages.
This blog focuses on the pressing matter of slip and fall accidents in nursing homes, discussing their causes, consequences, and precautions to minimize harm to our beloved seniors.
Realizing the Severity of Slip and Fall Injuries
Nursing home slip and fall accidents are all too frequent. The CDC also states that approximately 36 million individuals who are over the age of 65 experience at least one fall annually in the United States.
Of these, about 20 percent result in severe injuries like fractures, internal injuries, or head injuries. Falls are also prevalent in nursing homes, where roughly half of the residents are likely to fall each year.
Special Considerations for Exploitation of Vulnerable Older Adults in Nursing Homes
1. Age-Related Changes
Aging is a natural process that results in multiple changes in the body, and most of these changes predispose a person to falls.
And, by the way, I would like to note that at this age, people lose their muscle tone, joint flexibility, and balance.
Some of these changes include the loss of muscle strength and flexibility of muscles and bones, which hinders stability and balance among the elderly, and a slow rate of healing in case of a fall.
2. Chronic Conditions
Residential patients in nursing homes often have long-standing illnesses, and many of these illnesses have an effect on movement or balance.
For example, arthritis leads to conditions such as joint pains and stiffness, which create discomfort when moving from one place to another.
Osteoporosis a condition which makes the bones lose their strength and can lead to fractures in case of a fall.
3. Medications
Medications are an important tool in managing the health of residents in nursing homes, but they are found to have adverse side effects that lead to falls.
Some of the drugs that are frequently administered to elderly patients include antihypertensives, sedatives, and antipsychotics that have side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and orthostatic hypotension.
These side effects may also affect the patient's balance and coordination, increasing the risk of falling.
4. Cognitive Impairments
Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are common in nursing home residents and are strong predictors of fall risk because of cognitive deficits in awareness and balance.
Cognitively impaired residents may suffer from confusion and memory loss, disorientation, and other problems that make them potentially unsafe; for example, they may wander around without seeing a potential danger or fail to use a walker or a wheelchair.
They also may be unable to comprehend instructions or safety measures that are required to be observed while performing a particular task.
5. Environmental Hazards
Various factors of the physical environment of a nursing home contribute to either increasing or decreasing the risk of falls among residents.
Condition of the environment like lack of adequate lighting, slippery floor, sloppy floor, and congestion are some of the risk factors that can heighten the risk of falling.
Thus, improper selection of handrails, unsuitable design of the bathrooms, and improper placement of furniture can also lead to accidents.
For instance, a resident may slip on a mat that is not properly fixed on the floor or may find it difficult to walk on a slippery floor in the bathroom. In such cases, the victim should contact Big Tex Injury Lawyers to file compensation.
Preventative Measures To Take
The prevention of slip and fall accidents in nursing homes is not something that can be solved with just one solution. Here are some key strategies: Here are some key strategies:
Environmental Modifications:
Floor areas should be kept clean and dry and free from obstructions. Ensure that proper lighting is provided in the areas that require it most, such as corridors and bathrooms.
They should install non-slip mats and ensure that the carpets, which are usually placed on the floor, are firmly anchored.
Assistive Devices:
Ensure that residents get the necessary canes, walkers, and other related equipment as may be required. Make sure such devices are well-functioning and properly utilized.
Exercise Programs:
Promote physical activities that can help the elderly gain strength, balance, and coordination among the residents. Indeed, targeted exercise can be the most effective.
Medication Management:
Regularly review residents' medications with healthcare providers to identify any that may increase fall risk. Adjust dosages or switch medications if necessary.
Staff Training:
Train nursing home staff on fall prevention strategies, including proper techniques for transferring and assisting residents. Staff should also be vigilant in monitoring residents for signs of increased fall risk.
