Falls are a threat at any age and can lead to serious injury. Unfortunately, they are both more likely and more devastating as we get older. Nursing home residents are especially vulnerable because they tend to have health conditions that make falls more likely. Some nursing homes can make these problems worse by providing an environment that makes falls more likely. And because our bones lose density as they age, a fall is more likely to cause a disabling broken bone or head injury that can rob the victim of mobility and independence. Because residents are so vulnerable, our Philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers believe nursing homes have a special duty to prevent falls.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as three out of four nursing home residents fall each year. That's twice as often as older people in other living situations. In fact, nursing home residents fall disproportionately compared to people the same age. Even though only 5% of adults ages 65 and older live in nursing homes, 20% of the people in that age group who fall are nursing home residents. That's partly because they tend to have health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to falling, such as physical disabilities, tremors and mental confusion. Medications that affect the central nervous system, such as sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs, may also increase the chances of a fall. And some forms of nursing home neglect in Pennsylvania can increase the chances of a fall by worsening the resident's health.

For nursing home residents, the same fall that would cause a younger person no harm can be physically and emotionally devastating. Among nursing home residents who fall, the CDC estimates that 1,800 die each year. Another 10% to 20% suffer serious injuries, causing disabilities, a decline in their ability to function and reduced quality of life. In fact, some older people are so afraid of falls that the fear is enough to reduce their quality of life, by isolating them and making them feel helpless.

Under the law, nursing homes are required to prevent falls by providing adequate care and equipment for vulnerable residents. Nonetheless, the CDC reports that environmental hazards cause 16% to 27% of falls in nursing homes. These can include the same hazards that might trip anyone, such as objects left on the ground, as well as care-specific hazards like defective walkers or inadequate attention from nurses. Nursing homes may also be responsible for causing falls if they misuse powerful sedative or psychiatric medications as "chemical restraints," or allow patients to develop conditions like dehydration, which can cause a dizzying "head rush" (orthostatic hypotension) when the patient gets up.

When neglect and understaffing at a nursing home causes a serious fall, patients and their families have a right to hold the home responsible. The Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers at Rosenbaum & Associates are proud to represent families that have suffered a catastrophic injury or a loss because of negligence at a home in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. To learn more about your legal options and tell us about your case, please contact us through the Internet or call us toll-free at 1-800-7-LEGAL-7 (1-800-753-4257).