The leading cause for injury death in senior citizens is falling. When an older adult lives in a long-term care facility or nursing home, the staff and management should have multiple fall prevention measures in place to help protect their residents. Even if a fall does not cause an early death, it often creates extensive injuries and expensive hospitalization.
Up to 30 percent of seniors deal with hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and cuts and bruising from a fall, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These complications can make it even harder for a senior to be mobile or live more independently.
Health care facilities must look at their fall rate and investigate what other steps can be done to improve the safety culture of the staff to help prevent falls. Not only should nurses that interact with the patient be accountable, but the nurse manager should share in the responsibility. Today’s Hospitalist also encourages health care professionals in all types of care settings to assess how changes in care or a resident’s health could increase their chances of falling. Best practices include bed and chair alarms for at-risk individuals, assisted bathroom visits, and monitoring the dosage of diuretics and sleep aids that can contribute to falling.
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg’s team of Chicago personal injury attorneys represents seniors and their families when they have concerns about their loved one falling because of the negligence or carelessness of a person or facility. To learn more, call 877-595-HURT (4878) or visit more of https://briskmanandbriskman.com.