When a loved one breaks a bone in a nursing home, it’s not just a medical emergency—it can also be a wake-up call. Broken bones in elderly residents often result in long recovery times, serious complications, and questions about how the injury occurred.
A 2019 study found that during a two-year period, nursing home residents had 43,695 hip fractures, over 6,000 broken femurs, and more than 2,400 lower leg fractures. Many couldn’t move on their own and needed daily help after getting hurt.
Sometimes, fractures are unavoidable. Other times, they’re signs of neglect—or worse, abuse.
Understanding the causes, warning signs, and what to do when a fracture occurs can help families respond quickly and protect their loved ones from further harm.
Why Broken Bones Are Dangerous in Elderly Care
Older adults don’t recover from injuries the way younger people do. Aging bones, weakened muscles, and balance issues make falls more common and healing more difficult. The National Institutes of Health estimates that osteoporosis affects nearly 10 million Americans over the age of 50, increasing the risk of fractures even from minor accidents.
For nursing home residents, even minor fractures can trigger severe complications, including:
- Reduced mobility increases the risk of bedsores, infections, and blood clots.
- Loss of independence after a fracture often leads to cognitive decline.
- Hip fractures in elderly care facilities are also linked to a higher risk of death.
Poor outcomes are exceptionally high in residents already dealing with other common nursing home injuries, such as illness or medication-related issues.
Common Causes of Fractures in Nursing Homes
In 2021, more than 39,000 older adults in the U.S. died from fall-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And for those who survive, the road to recovery can be challenging—many experience a noticeable decline in mobility, strength, and independence.
While most fractures in long-term care are caused by falls, the underlying reasons often trace back to preventable problems within the facility, including:
Falls During Daily Activities
Walking to the bathroom, getting out of bed, or transferring from a wheelchair are routine tasks that can lead to harm without proper assistance. Assisted living fall injuries can also occur because a resident fell because no one responded to a call light in time, or their mobility needs weren’t properly assessed.
Improper Handling by Staff
A fall is far more likely if a staff member attempts to lift or transfer a resident without a gait belt, mechanical lift, or a second person to help. Poor training and staff shortages often contribute to these kinds of care mistakes.
Environmental Hazards
Wet floors, poor lighting, loose cords, and cluttered walkways pose serious risks, especially for residents with limited vision or balance issues.
Physical Abuse
Although rare compared to other causes, abuse can result in bone fractures, especially in the ribs, shoulders, or wrists. Mistreatment can come from staff or other residents and should never be ruled out without investigation.
Medical Neglect
When facilities fail to monitor known health issues—like osteoporosis or prior fall history—they may miss signs that a resident needs additional support. The resulting nursing home neglect fracture could be considered a form of preventable harm.
Types of Fractures Common in Elderly Facilities
Certain types of fractures are common in nursing homes. Below are some of the most frequent ones found in long-term care settings:
- Hip fractures. Usually caused by sideways falls, hip fractures are serious and often require surgery. Many residents never fully regain mobility, and about 22% die within a year.
- Wrist and forearm fractures. These happen when someone tries to break a fall with their hands. They aren’t deadly but can make it hard to eat, dress, or use mobility aids.
- Pelvic fractures. Even a minor fall can cause a pelvic break. Surgery isn’t always an option, and extended bed rest raises the risk of infection and blood clots.
- Spinal compression fractures. These can happen without a fall and are often due to weak bones. Watch for sudden posture changes or back pain.
Breaks like these can cause long-term health setbacks, especially when staff overlook early warning signs or delay care.
When Is a Broken Bone a Sign of Neglect or Abuse?
Not all fractures result from wrongdoing, but unexplained or repeated injuries should always raise concern. Patterns, timing, and staff behavior can offer important clues.
Some red flags of elder abuse causing broken bone injuries include:
- Unwitnessed incidents, especially when the resident is known to require supervision
- Delayed medical care, like waiting hours before calling a doctor or transferring to the ER
- Inconsistent explanations or vague timelines of what happened
- A history of other injuries, including bruises, skin tears, or past fractures
- Sudden behavior changes, like fearfulness, agitation, or withdrawal from staff or family
California law provides clear elder abuse definitions that cover not only direct harm but also failure to protect against a foreseeable injury. If a nursing home fails to assess fall risk, provide supervision, or maintain safe conditions, it may be held responsible.
What Families Can Do After a Fracture Happens
If your loved one breaks a bone in a nursing home or assisted living facility, it’s important to act quickly and stay organized. Even if the staff gives you an explanation, you should verify it and gather your own records.
Take the following actions if you suspect your loved one’s broken bone is due to neglect or abuse:
- Request the incident report and ask which staff were involved or present
- Collect medical documentation, including X-rays, treatment notes, and follow-up instructions
- Ask your loved one what happened, even if communication is difficult—watch their body language and emotional response
- Take photographs of the injury, the environment where it occurred, and anything unsafe you notice
If the situation feels off or if this isn’t the first time your loved one has been hurt, you may want to take further steps. This can include filing a complaint with the state, moving your loved one to a different facility, or seeking legal advice from an experienced elder abuse attorney.
Preventing Future Fractures in Care Facilities
Falls and fractures may not always be avoidable, but many can be prevented with proper systems in place. Nursing homes have a legal and ethical obligation to protect residents from known risks.
There are several best practices that nursing homes should follow to prevent broken bones:
- Regular fall risk assessments to identify high-risk residents and update care plans as needed
- Use of safety equipment, like grab bars, non-slip mats, and raised toilet seats
- Safe staff-to-patient ratios and minimum care hours to ensure residents aren’t left unattended during transfers or bathroom visits
- Training on mobility and transfer techniques, including the use of gait belts, mechanical lifts, and proper team lifting
- Routine inspection and maintenance of flooring, lighting, and furniture placement to remove hazards
Effective nursing home fall prevention programs require consistency and oversight, carried out by staff and administrators who prioritize resident needs.
Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs: Know What To Look for and Take Action
Broken bones in nursing homes are never something to take lightly. Whether it’s a one-time fall or part of a troubling pattern, your response matters. Families have every right to ask questions, advocate for better care, and take action when something feels wrong.
Staying involved, reviewing care plans, and taking immediate action can impact the quality of care your loved one receives and how seriously facility staff take their needs.
At Gharibian Law, we focus exclusively on elder abuse and neglect cases. We understand how to approach these sensitive situations and hold care facilities accountable.
Contact Gharibian Law for a free consultation if you suspect negligence or abuse.
FAQs
Hip, wrist, pelvic, and spinal compression fractures are the most common due to falls and frailty in elderly patients.
Not necessarily. However, unexplained or repeated injuries should raise concern and be investigated further.
Request documentation, ask how it happened, and seek medical advice. Consider contacting a skilled elder abuse attorney to provide professional legal guidance.
Yes, especially if the fall was preventable or occurred due to negligence (like poor supervision or unsafe conditions).
By evaluating fall risk, using proper safety measures, training staff on mobility, and maintaining a safe environment.
