10 Effective Interventions for Falls in Nursing Homes
Almost half of all nursing home residents fall each year. According to the CDC, nursing homes with about 100 residents report an average of 100-200 falls per year, with some falls causing serious injury or even death. Preventing falls is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of elderly patients. Continue reading to learn about 10 effective interventions for falls in nursing homes to reduce falls and enhance resident safety!
1. Utilize Fall Risk Assessments
Understanding who is most at risk is essential for staying proactive against patient falls. Regular fall risk assessments can identify residents needing extra precautions to prevent falls. Fall risk assessments should consider previous falls, medication use, cognitive impairments, mobility issues, and more. Identifying high-risk individuals by using fall risk assessments will help your staff implement targeted interventions to prevent falls.
2. Modify Fall-Risk Environments
The environment that a resident lives in plays a significant role in fall prevention. Simple modifications can ensure their space is safe. Ensure the following environmental modifications are made:
- Keep floors free from clutter
- Secure loose rugs
- Install grab bars in areas like bathrooms and hallways
- Keep rooms and common areas well-lit
3. Implement Strength and Balance Programs
Exercise is one of the most important and effective ways to improve strength and balance, both of which play a pivotal role in preventing falls. Tailored exercise programs, like Tai Chi or physiotherapy sessions, can help residents maintain or improve their physical capabilities. Exercise can reduce fall risk while enhancing overall quality of life by promoting mobility and independence.
4. Manage Medications
Medications play a crucial role in the health of your nursing home residents, but some can increase the risk of falls. Sedatives, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants, among others, can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or balance problems. Ensure your patient’s medications are regularly reviewed by healthcare professionals to minimize side effects while maintaining effective treatment.
5. Ensure Proper Footwear is Worn
Footwear is often overlooked but plays an important role in fall prevention. Residents should wear shoes that fit well and have non-slip soles. Avoid loose slippers or shoes with worn-out soles to reduce the likelihood of slipping. Your staff should regularly check the condition of residents’ footwear and recommend appropriate options if needed.
6. Train & Educate Your Staff
It is important to educate your staff about fall prevention. Staff members should be able to recognize fall risks, assist with mobility, and use equipment properly. Provide regular training sessions to keep fall prevention strategies top of mind and ensure that staff are prepared to assist residents safely. Fostering a culture of safety encourages staff to report potential hazards promptly.
7. Provide Vision and Hearing Checks
Poor vision and hearing can lead to missteps and falls. Regular hearing tests and eye exams are important to identify issues that could contribute to falls. Corrective measures, such as glasses or hearing aids, should be provided as needed. Utilizing clear signage and color contrast in the environment can also help residents with visual impairments navigate more safely.
8. Utilize Fall Prevention Equipment
Fall prevention equipment can help prevent falls, warn staff that a fall is about to occur, protect residents from injury, and more. Some helpful pieces of equipment that can help reduce or prevent falls include:
- Bed and chair alarms
- Hip protectors
- Fall mats
- Adjustable beds
- Grab bars
- Night lights
- And more
9. Use Assistive Devices During Therapy
Utilizing assistive devices during therapy, like the Solo-Step Overhead Track & Harness System, can allow your patient to safely undergo physical therapy exercises without the fear of falling or chance of injury. The Solo-Step is a ceiling-mounted harness system that prevents dangerous falls and injuries during therapy. Patients who utilize safety equipment like the Solo-Step experience:
- An increase in confidence
- Improved balance & coordination
- Increased strength
- Safety from falls & fall-related injuries
- Faster recovery times
- Decreases in their fear of falling
Learn more about the Solo-Step Overhead Track System by clicking the button below!
10. Post-Fall Follow-Up
Despite the best fall prevention efforts, falls may still occur. When they do, a thorough post-fall assessment is crucial. By understanding the circumstances of a fall, you can help prevent future accidents. A post-fall follow-up may include:
- A review of the resident’s physical & mental condition
- An environment review
- A review of medications or health changes
- Staff interviews
Implementing changes based on these findings can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence.
Implementing these ten interventions for falls in nursing homes creates a safer environment that reduces the risk of falls, thereby improving the quality of life for your residents. Fall prevention is not only about avoiding injury, but also ensuring that your residents can live with dignity, independence, and confidence in their daily lives!