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Essay On Fall Risk In Nursing Home

480 Words2 Pages

As older adults age, their ability to function gradually decreases. This decrease in function, such as mobility, vision, or hearing, causes the older population to become vulnerable. As nurses, we have a responsibility to keep our patients safe and provide optimal care. The purpose of this discussion is to discuss one thing I have learned that I did not know previously, and what I found to be most surprising. Finally, I will discuss one piece of information most likely to affect my nursing practice.
One thing I learned recently that I did not know previously is that fifty percent of older adults living in nursing home facilities will fall each year, (Hill & Fauerbach, 2014). This percentage is alarmingly high. Measures must be taken to help prevent falls and keep these patients safe. Instituting safety measures such as fall risk scores, bed alarms, and eliminating clutter can help decrease the number of nursing home residents who fall, (Tabloski, 2010).
What I found to be surprising is that men are more at risk to fall than women, (Tabloski, 2010). I did not expect the risk for falls to be higher for men, but thought the risk would be equal between the two genders. According to Tabloski (2010), men are at greater risk for falls because …show more content…

Utilizing fall risk scores does not apply only to the older population but to patients of all ages. Implementing this change into my nursing practice will help me identify those at risk and apply the appropriate interventions, such as a bed alarm, for the patients who are unsteady on their feet or are trying to ambulate by themselves. Moreover, I will continue to treat the elderly population with respect. All of us can learn a great deal of information about these patients and other various subjects if we not only make time for these patients but also

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