In nursing homes, the biggest danger is a senior losing balance and falling down. Preventing that from happening is a very big challenge. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services define a fall as a failure to maintain the right posture while lying, sitting or standing and losing balance suddenly. Today, there is a steady increase in fall related injuries among the elderly, especially in nursing homes. That is why there is need for nursing homes to have a fall protection program in place.

It has been found that seniors who live in nursing homes are at a higher risk of falling and getting injured compared to seniors who live in community-based homes. As a result from a fall, these seniors can have a fracture, head injury lacerations and sometimes it is fatal. When an elderly fall, their bones are so weak that they are prone to breaking. The recovery time is much longer for an elderly when they have injuries.

Given the nature of the injuries, nursing care facilities are considering options and methods to prevent them. If nursing care homes follow the instructions and rules closely, many of the falls can be avoided. Some of them are

• Patients are requested to seek assistance when required. They need not attempt to walk on their own and at such times they should seek help.
• Patients are advised to wear non skid footwear. It helps them have a better grip on their feet.
• Arm chairs which have lockable wheels are used for patients who cannot walk without support. It is kept by their bedside.
• The restroom access and the pathways are maintained clear.
• Additional support is given in the form of side railings.
• The height of the chair and the bed are maintained at correct levels so that they can sit and stand effortlessly. For every individual the bed and chair height is evaluated and adjusted accordingly. 
• The environment of the nursing care is constantly checked for dangerous objects and obstacles in pathways.
• Patients who are at higher risk have to be monitored more closely. They should not be left unattended.
• Transportation devices like stretchers should be safe and have raised sides.
• Other family members are educated about the level of care for elderly and to avoid falls.
• Use devices, such as monitors, for the elderly to keep track of patients that are at risk of falling and injuring themselves.
• Patient’s family is included in the development and health maintenance of the elderly.
• Housekeeping and other maintenance activities should be undertaken when the patients are sleeping.
• The patients are to be monitored closely when housekeeping is active, so that they do not end up slipping on wet floors.

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