Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Lombard Illinois | Nursing Home Falls

Falls are a serious problem at nursing homes across the country. However, they are preventable. If your loved one has suffered a serious injury as the result of a fall, our nursing home abuse lawyer Lombard Illinois is here to help. The attorneys at Carlson Bier Associates have a reputation for success because we care about our clients. Contact us today for a consultation at 312-622-2900.

Every year, millions of people visit the ER due to a fall. In most cases, falls in elderly people happen because of underlying or unrecognized medical issues such as heart disease, stroke, or urinary incontinence. 

Medical conditions that are associated with an increased risk for falling include muscle weakness, postural hypotension, osteoporosis, and foot problems. The musculoskeletal system ages too, which contributes to falls among the elderly as well. Because of these medical conditions, nursing homes need to make sure they are taking proper precautions to ensure the safety of their residents. 

Falls in nursing homes are a serious problem.

Falls are a serious problem in nursing homes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 25% of acute care residents and 77% of long-term care residents fall annually. In addition, up to 70% of nursing home residents who are over 60 years old fall each year.

A common misconception is that falls only happen when a person is walking or standing up from bed. However, studies have shown that about half of all falls occur during transfers like getting out of bed or moving between chairs at meals. Another study found that more than one-third happened during bathing or dressing, which can involve sitting down on the edge of the tub or toilet seat with your feet dangling into space and then standing up quickly without proper support for your balance (such as grabbing onto something solid).

There are steps to prevent falls

Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to prevent your loved one from suffering from a fall or any other injury resulting from a fall when living at a nursing home facility.

• Make sure that each person has their own mattress set so that it’s easier for staff members to see if someone is injured after being moved around during the night (especially because many residents don’t report their injuries).
• Provide adequate lighting so that patients know where they’re walking at all times (and don’t trip over anything). 
• You should also make sure that there aren’t any slippery areas such as wet floors, which could cause someone else’s wheelchair or walker to slide away from them unexpectedly.
• Install safety equipment, such as bars or handrails, around the tubs, toilets, in the hallways, and in other areas where residents need to get up and down.
• Assess all residents for their ability to sit, stand and walk safely. If a resident has difficulty with these tasks, they should be given special help or equipment.
• Provide all necessary medical treatment for any health problems that may contribute to falling or increase the risk of injury as a result of a fall. For example, if osteoporosis leads to bone fractures when residents fall down, then treating that condition can reduce further injuries.

Because there are numerous things that nursing homes can do to protect their residents, falls are preventable. In many cases, they can occur as a result of abuse or neglect. When that happens, you need to report it to the authorities. You will also need an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer Lombard Illinois to assist you with your claim.