Slip and falls in nursing homes continue to be a considerable challenge. It?s a growing concern that should be addressed.
The risk of falls in nursing homes is known to be triggered by several risks such as:
- Neurological disease
- Functional dependency
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Negligence.
There are safety hazards or care to residents that may reduce the risk of falls.
If you are sure that your resident suffered injuries after a fall due to negligence, you may have a claim.
Dangers Of Slip And Falls By Residents
Slip and fall could be a sign of neglect or abuse. Neglect in this way, the staff supposed to provide care to the resident or ensure the environment is free from hazards may fail to use reasonable care towards ensuring such residents are prone to falls.
Again, falls resulting from abuse may result from a conduct that may be considered a crime. For instance, a staff who slaps or shoves a resident leading to their fall.
Nursing and abuse may take many forms. It could be emotional, financial, or even physical.
?According to the US National Library Of Medicine, approximately 50 % of elderly residents in nursing homes fall each year. This is common to those aged 65 years and above. The research continues to reveal that slip and falls in nursing homes result to:
- Reduced functioning?
- Severe head injuries
- Fractures
- Dislocation or join distortions
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations
Worse still is that such falls may lead to disability or death.
Prevention Of Slip And Falls In Nursing Homes
It is the duty of the nursing home staff to provide a safe environment for the residents. This way, they can minimize falls.
However, some falls are unavoidable,
Fall prevention is possible by proper care to residents.?If you entrusted a nursing home to care for your resident, but they suffered from injuries after a slip and fall due to negligence in nursing homes, you may have thousands of questions on why such falls were not prevented.
Considering that residents over 65 years old are more likely to fall. It should be a top priority for the nursing home facility to ensure prevention by:
- Avoiding slippery floors. Bathrooms are essential sites for slips and falls.
- Evaluation of the right kind of footwear.
- Providing adequate staff and training them on how to prevent falls and how to act if such falls happens.
- Offer mobility aids such as canes, collators, walkers, mobility scooters, wheelchairs, etc.
- Offer training to staff members responsible for the resident’s critical assistance. For instance, staff needs to be keen when transferring a resident from their bed to a wheelchair or vice-versa.
In case of a fall, such a resident should be taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. This will reveal whether they have any broken bones or injuries.
Besides, you should talk to the nursing home staff to understand what happened and whether there is any possible risk of injuries.
If your senior falls, you may want to understand how the fall occurred and to what extent your resident has been injured. Unfortunately, you may not get the answers you deserve.
That’s why it?s vital to look for an accident attorney in Alaska, who can advise you on the best course of action to take. Such lawyers can communicate with appropriate agencies.
How Do I Detect Whether The Slip And Fall Emanated From Negligence
Slip and falls in nursing homes emanating from negligence may also be a result of physical abuse. One major question for one whose resident has suffered injures would be,? How do I detect abuse or neglect??
There are some possible warnings to look for. Some include:
- The resident struggles to move.
- Unexplained injuries in head, face or hands.
- Scars in the body.
- The caregiver may be reluctant to allow any family member to visit the resident without their presence. They may also have threats towards the resident to instill fear to avoid talking, over their fall.
If your resident suffered injuries after a slip and fall, but the caregiver never took any action to have them checked by a medical professional, you may take legal action. Such injuries may also lead to escalation or other health complications.
The nursing home or its staff will be liable for such injuries because they:
- Failed to provide a safe environment.
- Failed to provide adequate care to residents prone to falls.
- Failed to provide medical care to a resident who suffered after a slip and fall accident.
If your resident is a victim of abuse due to a slip and fall injury, you may consider having a lawyer guide you on reporting the case to a local law enforcement agency. Such a lawyer will also guide you to file a valid claim.
Consider looking for that lawyer who regularly assists residents who have suffered due to falls. Such will help you get the compensation your resident deserves due to negligence or abuse.
