Why Are Older Adults More Susceptible to Nursing Home Falls in Illinois? 

 Posted on March 20, 2024 in Nursing Home Falls

As we age, our bodies go through natural changes that can make us more vulnerable to accidents and injuries, especially in a nursing home setting. Older adults are more susceptible to falls due to a combination of factors, including age-related physical decline, medical conditions, medication side effects, and environmental hazards. If your loved one has fallen in their nursing home and is now injured, you may have legal options that you should be aware of. Call a qualified attorney to learn more.

At Schwartz Injury Law, our team of highly trained attorneys has a proven track record of success when it comes to nursing home fall cases. If your loved one was injured in a nursing home fall, there is no law firm more respected in handling Illinois cases of nursing home abuse and neglect than Schwartz Injury Law. 

Age-Related Physical Decline Can Lead to Nursing Home Falls

Aging causes loss of bone density, muscle tissue, and reaction time, which all make falls much more likely. The fragility of elderly bodies also means falls are much more likely to result in serious injuries. In a nursing home setting, where residents may have limited mobility and require help with many of their daily activities, the risk of falls is significantly higher.

Medical Conditions Can Increase the Fall Risk for Nursing Home Residents 

Many older adults in nursing homes have underlying medical conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or Parkinson’s disease, which can affect their stability and increase the likelihood of falls. Chronic health issues can also impact their overall well-being and make them more susceptible to accidents.

Medication Side Effects Can Lead to a Higher Probability of Nursing Home Falls 

Older adults often take multiple medications to manage various health conditions, which can have side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, or impaired judgment. These side effects can increase the risk of falls, especially if proper monitoring and dosage adjustments are not implemented. 

Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Along with the physical ailments of old age, our brains often start to degenerate as well. This can cause elderly people to do dangerous things they would not normally do, such as wandering into risky areas, getting lost even in familiar settings, and even forgetting how to safely do basic things like get out of bed. When nursing home residents suffer from cognitive decline, nursing homes are responsible for watching them carefully and making sure their physical movements are limited to those that are safe and contained. 

Contact Our Chicago, IL Nursing Home Fall Attorneys 

While older adults in Illinois nursing homes are more susceptible to falls due to a combination of factors, that does not mean falls should happen. Often, falls happen because proactive safety measures were not put in place, leading nursing home residents to be at an increased risk of falls. If your loved one suffered a fall, contact the aggressive Cook County, IL nursing home fall lawyers with Schwartz Injury Law. Call 312-535-4625 for a free consultation.