As we’ve discussed here in the past, one of more serious risks of falls for seniors in nursing homes (and in general) is that they’ll suffer a hip fracture. Of course, falls can also cause other serious – and potentially life-threatening – conditions like brain injuries.
Another risk for seniors when they fall is that they’ll suffer a spinal cord injury. In fact, most seniors who suffer a spinal cord injury do so as the result of a fall. According to the Mayo Clinic, being at least 65 is considered in and of itself a risk factor for this type of injury.
People are more likely to injure their spinal cord when they fall (or in other ways) as they get into their senior years largely due to underlying conditions like arthritis that cause a narrowing of the spine and reduction in flexibility. Twisting and landing at an unnatural angle (as often happens when people slip on wet or icy surfaces) can make the injury more serious.
Paralysis isn’t the only serious outcome of a spinal cord injury
While paralysis is the condition most commonly associated with spinal cord injury (and certainly the most frightening one), others can result. Some can cause permanent damage and even be fatal. These include:
- Respiratory and lung conditions like pneumonia
- Circulatory conditions, like highly elevated blood pressure
- Bowel and bladder control loss
One neurosurgeon also notes, “Falls in the elderly can be life-threatening, as their brains are not as responsive to healing….” This slow healing time, which may involve long hospital and rehabilitation facility stays, means that spinal cord injuries – much like hip fractures – can cause older adults to go into a downward health spiral if they don’t have a support system of family, friends, therapists and other caregivers.
Nursing home falls and serious injuries shouldn’t be inevitable
While falls aren’t uncommon in nursing homes, too many of them are preventable. Further, no fall should be taken lightly. A person who appears to be fine immediately after a fall may have suffered damage that’s not immediately apparent. That’s why they should always get an immediate medical evaluation.
If you believe that a loved one’s nursing home fall and/or the harm they suffered as a result was due to negligence, it’s worthwhile to find out what your options are for holding the facility liable.
