For many people, a nursing home provides peace of mind. You expect your loved one to receive consistent, quality care. Unfortunately, a surprising number of serious injuries happen in these facilities. A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that nearly half of all nursing home residents fall each year, with one in 10 of those falls resulting in a serious injury.
Health care experts say hip injuries are some of the most common and dangerous injuries for older adults. More than 300,000 hip fractures occur in the United States annually. When these injuries happen to someone you care about, it’s natural to feel worried and want answers.
What are common reasons for hip injuries?
Falls can lead to devastating injuries, but they are not always simple accidents. Many contributing factors inside care facilities exist, including.
- A resident may fall from a bed or wheelchair.
- Wet floors or other clutter in hallways can cause a slip.
- Poorly maintained or broken medical equipment, like lifts, can malfunction.
- Residents can attempt to move on their own due to slow staff response times.
- Muscle weakness and poor mobility can make falls more likely.
Unfortunately, systemic problems within nursing homes and other facilities create an ever-present danger to residents.
How negligence contributes to and hides injuries
Underlying issues such as inadequate staffing or poor staff training are often behind these preventable injuries. When a facility is short-staffed, caregivers may struggle to provide the constant supervision and assistance that residents with mobility issues need, frequently leading to your loved one being left unattended and attempting to move on their own. Medication mismanagement is another cause, as some medicines can cause dizziness or affect balance, increasing the chance of a fall.
When a hip injury goes unreported and untreated, the consequences for a resident can be severe. An unreported injury could lead to a slow decline in health or a lengthy hospitalization. Without prompt medical attention and proper rehabilitation, your loved one could suffer chronic pain, long-term disability or a reduced quality of life. In the worst cases, an untreated hip fracture can result in death.
How families can hold facilities accountable
If you suspect your loved one’s hip injury resulted from neglect or abuse, you can take important steps to protect them. The first option is to seek medical attention from an outside physician. Document everything you can remember about the incident, including dates, times and any conversations you had with staff.
You can also report your concerns to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration and the Elder Abuse Hotline. Finally, it is crucial to seek guidance from a skilled nursing home fall injury lawyer. They can help you understand your legal rights and explore options for holding the facility accountable for your loved one’s injury.
