Many elderly experience cognitive decline as they age and sometimes the cognitive decline progresses to dementia. Dementia is defined as a significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory capacity, severe enough to interfere with social or occupational functioning. Nursing home residents suffering from dementia require a proper treatment plan which reduces the risks of harm. These residents are at increased risk of falls and here is a sad story on just that very topic.
Melba Taff, 77, says because she was suffering from dementia while living at the PHP Oaks at Beaumont nursing home in Jefferson County, Texas, the facility had an obligation to minimize her falling risks. Taff is suing Pinnacle Health Facilities of Texas, owners of the Beaumont nursing home, for “failing to implement a comprehensive care plan” designed to keep her from falling out of her bed and fracturing her hip.