When families in Washington entrust the care of their elderly loved ones to a nursing home facility, they are placing full trust in the staff’s ability to provide quality, compassionate and thorough assistance with daily needs and medical treatments. Unfortunately, there are times when lack of communication, poorly implemented protocols or staff negligence can create hazards that leave vulnerable seniors at increased risk of injury.
In a recent news article, the importance of protecting seniors from falling is emphasized as one of the best ways to maintain their overall health and wellbeing. Exposures to dangers that increase the likelihood of falls can put seniors at risk of severe injury or even death if they are unable to navigate the hazards. It is reported that over 800,000 people are hospitalized every year for injuries related to falling. Elderly folks who survive a fall often have to undergo extensive physical therapy to help them recover enough to regain a degree of independency. Teaching fall prevention can also help empower seniors to understand dangers before they pose a threat to their wellbeing.
Taking preventative measures is an excellent way that nursing home facilities can reduce the chances of their residents falling. Some of the things they can do include regular vision screenings of their residents, keeping walking areas well lit, picking up clutter, encouraging activity and exercise, providing healthy food and adequate water, and being aware of the side effects of certain medications.
If families have experienced the heartache of a loved one being injured at a nursing home facility, they may wish to hire an attorney. This partnership may enable them to have help putting together a case that accurately depicts why compensation should be awarded for the injuries that were sustained.
Source: Statesman, “Romain: For seniors, preventing a fall is key,” Michael Romain, Jul. 21, 2018