Nursing homes are supposed to care for residents who are unable to safely live on their own. For some of these residents, one of the issues that plagues them is the risk of falling. Nursing homes have to take this risk seriously so that these often-frail individuals don’t fall and get hurt.
Any resident who meets the criteria for a fall risk must be clearly identified. In some cases, this means putting a bracelet on them, but it can also be a notice in their chart or a sign on the door. There must be a clear plan for handling this situation. For example, the resident might need to have a walker or handrails in any area they are going to walk. It could even mean needing supervision to walk. It is imperative that the nursing home staff abide by the requirements.
There are many factors that might contribute to a senior citizen falling. They might be taking medication that reduces their ability to properly perceive depth, which makes walking difficult. Their balance might also be impacted by medications.
Another factor is a lack of staff or equipment. A resident who is a fall risk might need assistance with toileting, but if the facility is short-staffed, they might not be able to wait for a staff member to come to help them without having an accident so they may try to make it on their own.
When a resident falls due to negligence, they might choose to seek compensation for the damages they suffered. The lawsuit might also address the need for changes at the facility to prevent the same thing from occurring again.
