This was an issue for both of my parents. In states where restraints are prohibited (a good thing), there is a real problem with preventing falls. Everyone is between a rock and a hard place. They can't restrain the residents and the residents forget to ring for help or don't understand they should - or don't want to wait.
Sometimes, a gizmo that attaches to the resident's clothes and pulls out of an alarm when they stand is used. When the pin is pulled, the alarm goes off.
They used this for my dad. It wasn't perfect but they were alerted when he got up.
My mom and dad both had many falls. For Dad it was not waiting for help. For Mom it was thinking she didn't need it. Anyway, my heart goes out to you. Nursing homes get "dinged" for too many falls and yet they have a very hard time preventing some residents from falling.
I don't have a magic answer. You can't be there all day and night and even a well-staffed nursing home can't have one-on-one care. Certainly, no one should blame you and if the home is good in general, they are doing all they can. Some falls will happen. They may try looking into medications, but they don't want to over-medicated her either. It's trial and error and holding our breath. Please keep us updated.
Carol
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My mother has fallen at least 8 time since September. My siblings have decided it is the fault of the nursing home she's in and she must be moved. I doubt the blame can all go to the home. Side rails are not allowed in Wisconsin nursing homes, nor are restraints (which I would not condone) or even long side pillows. My Mother forgets to ring for help when she needs to visit the bathroom, gets out of bed even though the bed is lowered and then the fall can occur. The home she's in is highly rated and I doubt the next one can magically keep her from falling. She still recognizes us as well as her caregivers at the home. I fear the move will just be too much for her, confuse her even more and cause deterioration. What do I do? Any opinions?
Hi, Ginny's Daughter,
What a predicament! I guess my first question is whether your siblings have had a conference with the nursing home staff about what they can do to help prevent the falling. Surely they (the staff) have faced this before and should have some strategies for helping your mother.
If that conference hasn't worked, putting appropriate pressure on the nursing home would be the next step I'd take to help keep the staff's attention on your mom's issues. I'd suggest talking first to the director of nursing. Next, if you don't get any results would be the top administrator. After that, I'd probably start talking to the ombudsman or the state regulatory agency. I'd also put the information about your mom's issues in an email or letter, since that will serve as a form of documentation.
And although a move might be necessary, I'd really suggest that your siblings have a frank conversation with the staff at any potential nursing home about how they would stop the falls. That staff should have multiple strategies that they can take to help your mom. I'd also ask to talk to the families of residents who have had issues at falling at the potential nursing home to see if the nursing home staff was really as good at stopping falls as they claim.
Take care and keep us posted on what happens!
Dorian