Prevent Falls in Nursing Homes

Q: My mom recently took a nasty spill in the nursing home where she's living. A friend of mine, who is a nurse, told me that this is fairly common in nursing homes. I thought my mom would be fairly safe there, so why do falls occur more often in nursing homes?

-- Kelly in San Marcos, California

A: Your friend is somewhat right. It's not that nursing homes are inherently dangerous — it's more of a statistical issue. People in nursing homes are generally more frail than older adults living in the community. They tend to be older, have more chronic illnesses, and have difficulty walking. They also tend to have problems with thinking or memory, have difficulty with activities of daily living, and need help getting around or taking care of themselves. All of these factors are linked to falling.

Common causes of falling

Muscle weakness and walking or gait problems are the most common causes of falls among nursing home residents. These problems account for about 24 percent of the falls in nursing homes. Hazards in the nursing home cause 16 to 27 percent of falls among residents. Such hazards include wet floors, poor lighting, incorrect bed height, and improperly fitted or maintained wheelchairs. Medications can also increase the risk of falls. Drugs that affect the central nervous system, such as sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs, are of particular concern. Other causes of falls include poor foot care, poorly fitting shoes, and improper or incorrect use of walking aids.