Preventing Falls Among Seniors at Long Term Care Facilities

When a loved one is placed at a long-term care facility, understanding how the staff at the facility attempt to reduce falls at the facility is vital. First and foremost, the facility must have a fall prevention plan in place. Under this plan, the facility should keep statistics about how many falls occur each year and the circumstances surrounding the fall. Facilities should understand where their weaknesses lie to correct them. Falls at facilities with elderly and sick patients will occur, but reducing the risk is key.

A fall prevention team should have representatives from all areas of specialty, such as nurses, doctors, and occupational therapists, as well as maintenance and housekeeping staff. These representatives can provide unique insight into how their area of expertise is affected by new or ongoing preventative measures.

The fall prevention plan will identify the physical characteristics of the facility, but also the common human factors related to the residents’ ages, mental alertness, common mobility issues, and overall health conditions. It is important to note that the facility has much more control over the physical factors in the facility than the residents’ conditions.

Restraints and Falls

Many people may not realize, but the facility’s restraint policy may have a major impact on how many falls occur there. The use of restraints on patients have become more controversial in recent years and it has been found that the use of restraints can increase the possibility for falls among residents if they are used more often than needed. Residents can experience falls while trying to escape from restraints. However, some facilities are now moving toward a restraint free philosophy.

Flooring

The facility should also know its coefficient of friction (COF) of its floors in the facility. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 recommends a minimum of 0.5 COF for all level walking surfaces. The selection of a suitable walking surface within a facility is important, especially since it should be anticipated that canes and walkers will be utilized there.

Keeping floors well-maintained and free of broken tiles or cracks is crucial, along with the daily maintenance, to be sure there are no obstructions or debris on the floor. Ensuring that any wax used on the floor does not create a slippery hazard is also important.

Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates Advocate for Victims Injured Due to Negligent Property Owners

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, the Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates can help if you or someone you love has experienced a fall at a long-term care facility. We are centrally located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and we proudly serve clients from the surrounding areas. Contact us online or call us at 215-569-9100 to discuss your case today.