Falls typically have devastating consequences, especially for elderly residents. These injuries seriously decrease the quality of life and functional ability of fall victims. Many of these people develop a fear of falling that can limit interaction with others and everyday activities.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported that one in 10 nursing facility residents who fall are seriously injured. Typical injuries that are the result of nursing home falls include, but are not limited to:
Hip Fractures
Approximately 65,000 residents suffer hip fractures each year. This type of injury is expected because when a patient falls, they often turn and hit the ground with their side. They may also hit furniture or nearby objects with their hips on the way to the ground.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injuries like concussions may be mild, moderate, or severe. They often occur when a resident’s head hits the ground or another object as they are falling. In some cases, a head bump may cause a fall.
Broken Bones
Many nursing home patients have weakened bones due to age, medication, or chronic illness. The impact of a fall can easily put enough pressure on bones to cause a fracture. Legs, arms, and ribs are common bones that break in falls in nursing homes.
Death
Catastrophic injuries may initially be invisible, and nursing home staff may fail to contact emergency medical services. Those injuries can quickly become fatal without proper treatment.