For nursing home and hospital patients, insomnia is an important risk factor for falls and injury. Sedative-hypnotic medication, often used to treat insomnia, is a leading cause of falling. Sleep medications produce significant balance and cognitive imp… more »

Elderly women with osteoarthritis (OA) have a 20% higher risk of bone fractures and experience 30% more falls than those without arthritis. Read more. more »

It’s often assumed that restricting patient activity can reduce the risk of falling. This, however, is a mistaken belief. According to recent research (*), hospital patients who fall do not walk around anymore than patients who don’t fall. In fact, keeping patients immobile can backfire; not moving enough can lead to poor muscle tone/decreased balance and increased fall risk. more »

In hospitals and nursing homes across the country, many falls occur during nursing shift changes. The majority of falls occur to patients who are already identified as being at fall risk; those with poor mobility (e.g., gait/balance impairment) and cogni… more »

The risk of skin trauma (bruises, abrasions and tears) is great in patients with sensitive skin. Skin trauma frequently occurs during: A fall against or bump into furnishings with sharp edges, such as dressers, tabletops, chair frames, wheelchairs, un… more »