One reason why many seniors move into South Florida nursing homes is they need to live in an environment that does not have fall hazards. In addition to having safety equipment and measures in place to prevent falls, nursing homes must have a proper staff-to-senior ratio. Not all residents can get in and out of their beds, chairs and tubs without assistance.
Unfortunately, some nursing homes fall short of their responsibilities. The very people they are meant to keep safe, they do not. There are various factors that affect the quality of care nursing homes provide to their residents, especially for fall prevention. When nursing homes do not uphold their commitments to their residents, fall injuries and death can occur. Here are a few pointers on nursing home falls:
Fall prevention is important
To prevent falls, nursing homes must adhere to local, state and industry regulations. They must also staff their properties with the right number of nursing professionals to seniors. Nursing home workers who are overworked, care for a large number of patients and lack proper training are likely to put residents at risk of falls and other accidents that could lead to life-threatening injuries or, in some cases, death. There are also environmental hazards that increase the risk of nursing home falls and injuries.
- Clearly lit and visible walkways, entrances and exits
- Handrails for the steps, in bathrooms and other areas
- Keep walkways clear
Falls that occur in nursing homes are not exclusively caused by environmental factors. Many of them occur as a natural side effect of aging. Health issues, certain medications and current physical health all increase the risk of seniors suffering fall accidents.
It is important for relatives to visit their loved ones to ensure they are not being mistreated or neglected. Nursing home residents can fall at any time. The warning signs of neglect and trauma are not always evident, and visitors should report any suspicions of abuse and neglect to the nursing home administrators.
