There’s no question that falls are a leading cause of serious injury and death among people over 65. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that over 41,000 in this country over 65 died due to a fall in 2023. One study reported that the number of fall-related injuries has more than tripled since 1990.
People who have loved ones in nursing homes and other care facilities often believe that they’re less likely to fall when they’re living in a supervised residence than if they lived in their own home or even an independent living facility. However, it’s crucial that those in charge of a loved one’s care understand the potential reasons for falls so they can better prevent them.
People become increasingly likely to fall as they age due to balance, mobility and eyesight issues, even if they don’t suffer from medical conditions that make people more likely to fall.
Older people are taking more “fall risk increasing drugs”
Increasingly, medical professionals are pointing to the growing number of prescription medications taken by older people as the reason for the significant increase in falls in recent decades. These include prescription medications for anxiety, depression and other mental health issues as well as seizure, cardiac and cancer drugs that affect the central nervous system. One doctor who’s studied this says, “The drugs that increase falls’ mortality are those that make you drowsy or dizzy.”
There’s even an acronym for the types of drugs most likely to cause falls: FRIDs. That stands for “fall risk increasing drugs.”
While medical professionals disagree on how much these drugs contribute to falls, it’s important to know what medications are being administered to a loved one in a care facility. They shouldn’t be given any medications (prescription or over-the-counter) until a physician has carefully reviewed all their current medications and supplements. It’s best if loved ones are informed of recommended medications before they’re administered to help ensure that they don’t cause unintended consequences.
If a loved one has suffered harm – whether it’s a fall or other negative result due to the administration of a drug they shouldn’t have been receiving, that was unnecessary or for which there was a viable alternative – family members have a right to find out whether the facility and anyone working there can be held liable for the harm suffered. Getting experienced legal guidance can help determine that and the next steps.
