The authors of a 2011 article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine Journal found that hip fractures are associated with an increased risk of death for woman ages 65 years to 79 years, and healthy woman who are 80 years of age or older. The article’s findings suggest that research should focus on hip fracture prevention and interventions in these age groups in order to decrease mortality for this high-risk age group. Essentially, prevention of hip fractures should be a high priority.
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Shrager, Spivey & Sachs have handled many cases against nursing homes that involve falls and fractures that were preventable, but the necessary level of care and the necessary fall risk preventions were not provided to the resident to prevent the fall. It is important for family members of elderly nursing home residents to attend Care Plan Meetings with the nursing home staff. At these meetings, family members should try to become aware of the fall risk interventions being put into place to prevent falls, and to make sure that the fall risk interventions are actually being implemented after the meeting takes place. When visiting, make sure to discuss with the nursing staff why a particular fall risk prevention has not been implemented as was discussed at the Care Plan Meeting. All too often, the fall risk interventions are discussed and “written down,” but not actually implemented. As another point of caution, fall risk interventions do not always get implemented properly if your loved one’s room is changed for some unforeseen reason. Nursing homes often move residents, but the nursing staff on the new wing/floor do not know the fall risk interventions that should follow your loved one, and the fall risk interventions end up not getting implemented, leaving your loved one in danger of suffering a preventable fall. Many falls in nursing homes are preventable. Unfortunately, the research demonstrates that hip fractures in elderly woman increase their risk of death.