Sweeney Julian
Sweeney Julian

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How nursing homes may prevent falls

On Behalf of | Nov 25, 2019 | News |

When a family member is moving a loved one to a nursing home in Indiana, they should want to first learn about the fall prevention practices of the home in consideration. Falls are a serious risk to the elderly that live in a long-term care facility. 

According to the national council for aging care, the highest cause of deaths and injuries among the elderly in America is falling. A considerable number of emergency room visits with fall cases are the elderly above 65 years of age. 

Nursing homes are not any safer with the CDC reporting that every year, about 50 to 70 percent of all residents in a nursing home fall. Many of these accidents, however, go unreported. 

Several factors may lead to nursing home falls. Each problem requires its unique approach. However, there are several general strategies that nursing homes may employ to help reduce fall incidences. They include: 

  • Knowing when a resident desires to move. 

When nursing home residents sit for a long time, they may experience discomfort, pain, or want to move around. Staff should always be ready to help them move around. Additionally, they should be conscious of the immobile residents and help them stay engaged and comfortable to curb their need to move. 

  • Promote the need for proper footwear.   

Nursing homes should encourage the need for rubber-soled shoes or strap on shoes that fit more than slip-on-shoes. They should be careful not to give a patient with gait problems treaded shoes as that would be dangerous. 

  • Establishing the need for daily exercises 

By promoting regular exercise, a nursing home may help improve the balance, gait, and strength of the residents, thereby preventing falls.