Mishaps, resulting in injuries, can occur to nursing home residents at any time of day. Thus the management and workers must take preventive measures during the night as well as the day.
Most of us have fallen out of bed at some point in our lives, and it probably had little effect other than a nasty surprise as we hit the floor. Things may be different for a resident of a nursing home, because their bones may be much weaker due to age, and their overall health and resilience be more delicate. Thus the care home needs to put measures in place to ensure its residents do not fall out of bed.
Here are some options for that:
#1. Using a lower bed and ensuring the ground is soft
There are several advantages to this method. Firstly it can make it easier for the resident with mobility issues to get in and out unassisted. Secondly, it is less obtrusive, not one that clearly suggests the person needs protection from unexpected falls. Soft ground, such as thick rugs, can also be warmer.
#2. Installing guard rails around the edge of the bed
Hospitals use them, so they may suggest to residents that they are ill or incapable of doing something as simple as sleeping unaided. The upside is they are very secure.
#3. Bolstering up the side of the bed
Many people use pillows and spare blankets to make their beds look cozy. If you put them strategically around the edge, they can also act to block someone from rolling off. While it won’t be as secure as metal rails, it certainly looks and feels nicer.
As you can see, there’s really no excuse for residents to fall out of bed in their nursing homes. If they do, consider if this is just one oversight by the home or an indication of wider elder neglect by the staff.