It’s never an easy decision to have an aging loved one placed into a nursing home. This decision can become all the more fraught due to how common it is for patients to get abused or neglected.
One place where this shows up most often is in terms of nursing home falls. According to the Center for Disease Control, anywhere from 50-75% of nursing home residents fall each and every year. These falls can cause severe injury or even death.
So, when someone you love is injured in a nursing home fall, what should you do? Here are 5 steps to take in the aftermath.
1. Get Your Loved One Medical Attention ASAP
Getting proper medical attention is crucial in the aftermath of nursing home falls. The older the patient, the more fragile their bones and muscles are. Falls can lead to fractured hips, broken bones, and even traumatic brain injuries.
So, the moment you hear about a fall taking place or see evidence of one, reach out for emergency medical attention ASAP.
2. Examine the Conditions and Facts Surrounding the Fall
Once your loved one has the medical attention they need, it’s time to examine the facts surrounding the fall. Were they properly supervised? Did you see any exposed electric cords in walkways? Were all medications distributed properly?
Many falls in nursing homes occur due to staff negligence. Proving that negligence occurred will be crucial to obtaining compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering.
3. Check for Nursing Home Falls Protocols
Every single nursing home, without exception, should have protocols in place for when a patient falls. If those protocols do not exist or are not being followed, that’s a serious warning sign that you should not trust this facility with your loved one’s care.
4. Lawyer Up
If you can prove that the nursing home was negligent in their care and they refuse to change their behavior or help with medical expenses, it may be time to contact a lawyer. You can learn more about the evidence you may need to gather and the ways to approach this lawsuit from a legal professional.
5. If Worst Comes to Worst, Move to Another Home
If someone you love that lives in a nursing home falls, legal recourse doesn’t help, and they show no signs of improvement, it’s time to move them to a different home. Finding a new home may be difficult, but the safety of your loved one is worth it.
Let’s Review What to Do After Nursing Home Falls
When nursing home falls occur, you should first call for a full medical examination of your loved one. Then, investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall, including what protocols the nursing home may have in place. If it’s clear that there was negligence, it’s time to hire a lawyer, then remove your loved one from that situation.
You are the only one who can keep your elderly loved ones safe in these facilities. If you’d like more information about taking care of aging loved ones, check out our blog for more articles like this.
