Slip and Falls

Falls pose a serious threat to the safety of elderly people. Every year, elderly people suffer serious health consequences because of injuries they sustain in a fall. Falls are responsible for prolonged hospital stays, serious injuries such as fractures and head trauma, and even death. Balance related falls are responsible for more than fifty percent of accidental deaths among the elderly. Falls also result in decreased mobility which can severely diminish an elderly person’s quality of life.

All Los Angeles nursing homes are required to ensure that all caretakers follow certain safety procedures when caring for elderly residents that may be prone to falls. It is the nursing homes duty to do everything within their control to protect residents from falls and the injuries which can result. Many nursing home residents suffer from medical conditions that impair their balance. Nursing home workers must use due care to protect such patients. Some of the precautions which should be taken include:

• Monitoring patients medication
Many falls occur because an individual is taking medications that cause them to become drowsy and/or dizzy. Staff needs to be aware of every medication a patient is taking and the possible side effects associated with those medications which could make them at a higher risk for falling.

• Observing if a resident has shaking or weak muscles.
An elderly person may try to stand up even if they are not supposed to do so without assistance. It is extremely important that all members of the nursing staff are alert and make sure that residents that have poor balance or walk with impaired coordination are given assistance.

• All walkways should be well lit and free from clutter
The walkway in a patient’s room should never be blocked. It is very easy for an elderly person to trip on items which are left on the floor. It is also important that the floors in a nursing home are skid proof and well lit. All spills should be cleaned up immediately

• Calls for help must be answered immediately
Every resident’s room should have a nurse call button. Calls for help should be answered right away. This will ensure that patients at risk of falling do not walk without assistance.

• All equipment is properly maintained and in good working order
Assistive devices including canes, walkers, and wheelchairs should be checked on a regular basis. Malfunctioning equipment should be disposed of.

• Residents should be assessed for falls every three months even if their health condition is stable. A resident should be reassessed every time their health condition changes or their medications are adjusted. If you or someone you know has suffered a fall that you think could have been avoided, contact a Los Angeles Elder Abuse Attorney.