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Most Common Causes of Nursing Home Falls

 Posted on June 05, 2019 in Nursing Home Falls

Cook County nursing home injury attorneysThanks to advances in medical care and disease prevention, Americans live much longer lives on average than we did in decades past. As the “Baby Boomer” generation grows older, the demand for long-term care facilities like nursing homes grows too. Unfortunately, many nursing homes are struggling to keep up with the increase in nursing home residents. When nursing home residents are not properly supervised and cared for, they can fall and injure themselves. Some falls can even lead to a nursing home resident’s death or permanent disability. Read on to learn about the most common causes of falls and what you can do if you think your loved one is being mistreated in a nursing home or other long-term care facility.

Slip and Fall Injuries Can Be Deadly

Just recently, an elderly WWII veteran died at a nursing home after staff left him alone without supervision. The man tipped backwards in his wheelchair causing a massive brain bleed that eventually resulted in his death. Sadly, this is not an isolated event. In fact, more than 1,800 nursing home residents die because of falls every year. There are many issues which can increase a resident’s likelihood of falling. These include but are not limited to:

  • Environmental hazards such as obstacles on the ground, wet floors, and poor lighting;
  • Faulty, broken, or poorly maintained equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, bedrails, and furniture;
  • Physical ailments which cause difficulty walking;
  • Dizziness or disorientation caused by medication;
  • Confusion related to advanced age, dementia, or Alzheimer’s Disease;
  • Muscle deterioration or weakness; and
  • Injuries or medical problems with a resident’s legs or feet.

Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Can Lead to Falls

Sometimes a nursing home resident falls and there is no way to have prevented the fall. However, there are an astounding number of nursing home falls which could be prevented.

One of the most critical issues modern nursing homes face is understaffing. Many nursing home facilities struggle to maintain an adequate number of nurses, nursing aids, and other staff members. Other times, a nursing home has enough staff, but these employees have not received adequate training to do their jobs safely and sufficiently. When a nursing home’s negligence leads to the death or injury of a resident, a negligence claim may help the individual or his or her family receive financial compensation for their damages.

Contact Our Chicago Nursing Home Injury Lawyers

At Schwartz Injury Law, our Cook County personal injury lawyers have the professional experience and legal know-how required to provide clients with the effective legal representation they need. If you or someone you love has suffered a fall in a nursing home because of negligent nursing home staff, call 312-535-4625 today to schedule a free case evaluation.

 

Sources:

http://www.nextavenue.org/6-signs-of-nursing-home-neglect/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nursinghome-falls-a-commo_b_3684980

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