As people age, falls become more frequent due to balance issues, medications or chronic health conditions. These falls are often an indicator that an elderly loved one is no longer safe living independently and that it may be time for nursing home placement.
That’s the primary reason why families become upset when the falls continue to occur. And while some of those falls may be avoidable, they can sometimes point to the larger problem of understaffing.
Why falls are a serious concern
For an older adult, a simple fall can result in broken hips, head injuries or other serious complications that may require hospitalization or long-term care. According to JMIR Aging, elderly people with hip fractures have a significant decrease in survival, often dying within one year of their injury.
Adequate staffing is critical in nursing homes. Residents rely on staff to help them get out of bed, walk to the bathroom or transfer to a wheelchair. Staff members must be available to monitor residents and respond to their needs. When there are too few caregivers on duty, important tasks may be overlooked or delayed.
Understaffing can contribute to falls in several ways:
- Delayed response times: Once the resident presses the call button for help, it may take a staff member longer to respond. The resident attempts to walk on their own and falls.
- Lack of supervision: Residents are assessed upon arrival at the nursing home. Residents at high risk of falls often require close monitoring. Supervision can suffer when caregivers are responsible for too many residents.
- Improper transfers: Moving a resident from a bed to a wheelchair or assisting them while walking may require more than one caregiver, especially when the resident is bariatric. When staffing levels are low, staff may attempt to handle these tasks alone, increasing the risk of injury to the staff person and the resident.
It’s easy to dismiss frequent falls as “just a part of aging,” but if your loved one is experiencing repeated falls, it may be worth taking a look at the circumstances. If you suspect understaffing may be contributing to your loved one’s falls, you may want to explore your legal options as well as consider reporting your concerns to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
