Seniors in nursing homes are, by definition, much more frail than their independently-living counterparts. As a result, they are much more susceptible to suffering injuries from falls. In fact, according to the Nursing Home Abuse Center, falls are responsible for 1,800 nursing home deaths every year.
A recent study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences has identified another reason for caretakers and patients to be mindful of nursing home falls. According to an examination of over 1,100 nursing home falls, the use of non-selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (non-SSRIs) can make patients more susceptible to these types of accidents.
"Our results identify the days following a new prescription or increased dose of a non-SSRI antidepressant as a window of time associated with a particularly high risk of falling among nursing home residents," study author Dr. Sarah Berry, of the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife, said in a statement.
These risks - which are five times more likely within two days of being prescribed non-SSRIs or changing the dosage - are caused because of how these drugs affect patients' cognitive and blood pressure functions. In addition, non-SSRIs are associated with decreased coordination in patients. And if they are not monitored closely, the result can be nursing home neglect.
With these results in mind, healthcare workers must pay close attention after nursing home residents have been prescribed antidepressant medication. Everyone involved with care needs to be more aware of the risk of falls.
This means that Nursing home staff must be very vigilant in watching residents in the days following a change in their anti-depressant medications. From a facility management standpoint, this means that to prevent falls, weekend doctors and/or staff should not be making medication changes on weekends or at other times when the regular staff is not present.
