90-year-old dies after a tragic wheelchair fall in Deißlingen

90-year-old dies after a tragic wheelchair fall in Deißlingen

A tragic situation occurred in Deißlingen, in the Rottweil district, when a 90-year-old woman died after falling in her electric wheelchair. Loud Stuttgart News The incident occurred when the senior citizen was driving down a steep street and hit the curb on a curve. As a result, she lost control of her wheelchair and fell. Eyewitnesses report a worrying accident that shocked residents.

The woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the fall, where she died a day after the incident. Such accidents are not uncommon and highlight the dangers faced by older people, particularly in care facilities. Loud Medde Falls in nursing homes can often lead to hospital admissions; Up to 25% of falls have such serious consequences. On average, a patient falls 1.5 times per year, highlighting the importance of preventive measures.

Causes and prevention measures

The causes of falls from wheelchairs are varied. The most common include physical weakness or imbalance, confusion that may be caused by medication or medical conditions, and improper environmental exposure. The decline in physical strength and mental abilities often goes unnoticed, increasing the risk of falls.

After a fall, it is important to perform a comprehensive assessment to assess cognition, physical weakness, and environmental tolerance. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists play a crucial role here. Special measures should be taken to improve safety and reduce the risk of falls. These include, for example:

• Erhöhung des Unterstützungsbedarfs beim Aufstehen aus dem Rollstuhl
• Dokumentation des Unterstützungsbedarfs jedes Patienten
• Therapieprogramme zur Verbesserung von Kraft und Gleichgewicht
• Rollstuhlalarme zur Warnung des Personals
• Drop-Sitz zur Verhinderung des Vorwärtsgleitens
• Erinnerungen an Sicherheitsvorkehrungen für Patienten und Personal
• Neuordnung des Zimmers zur Vermeidung von Stürzen
• Bereitstellung eines Greifers für Patienten
• Anpassungen an Transferflächen (z.B. Höhe von Betten, Haltegriffe)

However, seat belts on wheelchairs are considered a restrictive measure and are avoided in many nursing homes. The challenge remains to find a balance between safety and freedom of movement.

The events in Deißlingen are another tragic indication of how important preventive measures and safety precautions are in care facilities. It is up to those responsible to prevent such incidents by taking appropriate measures to ensure the well-being of older people.