Causes of Falls in Nursing Homes

While reviewing cases involving falls in skilled nursing facilities our lawyers have determined that there are several causes of falls that we see frequently. The first involves patient’s characteristics. Dementia associated with “sundowner” syndrome or nighttime confusion is a common occurrence. In this situation, the patient may awake in the middle of the night not knowing where he or she is, experience a drop in blood pressure from arising too quickly, and have a momentary dizzy spell. This almost invariably leads to a fall.
Another frequent cause involves vision disturbance, where a patient simply cannot see well enough to guide his or her steps. Arthritis or other orthopedic problems that compromise the ability to walk also lead to falls. Old strokes can lead to weakness or partial paralysis which can in turn lead to a loss of balance resulting in a fall.
Many medications can cause drops in blood pressure, lack of positional compensation with rising, sleepiness, lack of awareness, and balance.
Environmental factors can also play a part in falls. These include such things that are easily remedied, such as slippery floors, uneven surfaces, blind corners, insufficient lighting and improperly placed beds and rails.