For those members who were questioned about a facility-based fall or two, there was great trepidation about how they would be portrayed, because history has shown us that the more sensational the story, the more it “sells” to someone. For those who were not questioned directly, but where falls have occurred, there was another layer of concern - what if?? 

In the middle of the story development, I had the opportunity to meet with the lead investigator, Glenn Howatt, to talk about the unintended consequences this type of “journalism” has on caregivers, family members, and the profession as a whole. From his perspective, he looked at data and asked questions about why and how. From our perspective, working with a very frail population, we know why and how—we care for fragile, unstable older adults where the likelihood of falling is great and the likelihood of serious injury from the fall even greater. 

The story was written to sensationalize something that is an unfortunate, but frequent occurrence in the elderly—regardless of where they live. The reporter didn’t seem to understand how stories such as these are demoralizing to hard-working caregivers, many of whom are deeply affected when a fall with potentially life-threatening injuries occurs on “their watch.” He also didn’t view the story as something that portrays nursing homes overall in a bad light—even though the article continued to play on the stereotype that families place their loved one in danger whenever they move them into a nursing home. He acknowledged that older adults fall EVERYWHERE - not just in nursing homes - but since he didn’t have that data, he didn’t pursue it.

What is done is done. Time to move on. The article may have put a few questions before a few people. It may have caused more than one attorney to see potential cases for them—playing on the few family members that believe there needed to be someone to blame and “pay” for their loved one’s suffering. However, for the most part, I was so very pleased to see the responses of the general public…the on-line comments to the story, the op ed pieces, the letters to the editor, and the emails we have received on the story have been marvelous affirmations of the hard work of caring staff each and every day (see bullets below). 

Now it's time to move on and continue to provide the best care we can, to look at new ways to improve on what we do, and to continue to believe in our profession.

• We did submit an op ed piece in response to the series—click HERE to review it. 

• Here is an excerpt from an email sent to me from the spouse of an Alzheimer’s resident: “In my support group on Tuesday, most of my friends were just plain pissed off at the tone of the story. We all know from painful experience how hard it is to keep Alzheimer's patients from falling. My wife fell down a couple of years ago -- we were walking across the bedroom, and she had a myoclonic seizure and just fell in front of me. She broke her foot, and she has never regained her walking skills since. That was the beginning of her most recent big decline. I can't imagine what anyone could have done to prevent that fall.”
  

• A sampling of letters in the newspaper on November 22, a week after the series ran:

   The real danger is underfunding

  Regarding the series "Deadly Falls," no nursing home is perfect, but it should be noted that many nurses and nursing assistants are very kind and dedicated to their residents. When the state cuts funding or freezes funding increases to nursing homes, it is itself a form of abuse. It may not be the same as slapping a resident in the face, but its effects are just as bad!

  My mom worked as nursing assistant when I was growing up, and she and her coworkers were always having to work short-staffed. I now work in a nursing home myself, and I've seen it where we have one nursing assistant for 30 residents. If the aide is in a room with a resident, how is it humanly possible to keep an eye out for the other 29 residents?

  JERRY T. JOHNSON, BLOOMINGTON

  A resident's fall in a nursing home is not necessarily a sign of negligence. It can also show that the resident was allowed to be as independent as possible vs. being restrained to prevent a fall.

  Yes, there are occasions when staff are negligent, and these cases must be addressed by the nursing home. However, more sanctions will result in more paperwork for staff, which never ensures that the residents will receive better care. If each of us ask ourselves, "What kind of care would I want," I think that the majority of us would choose independence even though there is a risk of physical injury. The risks of restraint are increased osteoporosis and mental decline.

  I trust that you will give equal time to telling the stories of the nursing home staff who work extra hours without pay to see that the residents receive good care. There are some wonderful love stories of staff and families out there. I know. I worked in long-term care for 14 years and followed the care of my mother, father and brother when they lived in a nursing home.

  JOANN HOWITZ, FRIDLEY