Springfield, Missouri Nursing Home Resident Dies After Fall From Window
A Springfield, Missouri nursing home resident died Monday, May 9, 2011, after falling from a window at the Springfield Skilled Care Center.
Sadly, the body of eighty-one year old Mary Bebee was found by police around 6:15 a.m. in the backyard of the facility. Ms. Bebee, a two year resident of the facility, suffered from Alzheimer's disease and reportedly resided in an area of the facility that was equipped with two certified nursing assistants and one licensed nurse. She was last seen around 3:00 a.m. on Monday. Preliminary autopsy results found that Ms. Bebee died from a fractured neck.
The preliminary investigation into this tragic incident revealed that part of a window screen and edging around the screen had been pushed out of a window on the one-story building that sat approximately four feet above the ground. According to Springfield Police Cpl. Matt Brown, "It appears she crawled through the window." Brian Mattox, the facility Administrator, said, "That's the unusual part. We don't know how it happened." Springfield police and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services continue their investigations into this tragedy.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ms. Bebee.
While we don't know the specifics in this case, it is not uncommon for nursing home residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease to become confused, wander and try to leave nursing home facilities. Nursing home residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease are challenging to care for, but nursing homes know that this is a part of the day-to-day care they are to provide. In fact, many nursing homes advertise that they specialize in caring for those with dementia. To that end, nursing homes are required to assess each resident to determine their risk for wandering. If the risk is there, the facility is to initiate a plan of care specifically designed to care for the residents at high risk for wandering and elopement.
Some aspects to such care plans include:
• To consistently monitor doors—especially during shift changes where residents are particularly inclined to wander.
• Place residents that have been characterized "at risk" for wandering closer to nursing stations so that they can be more closely monitored.
• Using alarms on the resident's bed, wheelchair, windows or doors as well as the residents themselves.
• Exit doors and windows should be alarmed to notify staff when residents attempt to leave the facility.
• Using "Wanderguard" bracelets that sound an alarm if a resident passes a designated spot.
The Terry Law Firm is a St. Louis based law firm concentrating in all types of personal injury and wrongful death litigation. They are committed to protecting and vindicating the rights of people who are injured by the negligence of others. Please contact the firm at 314-878-9797 or visit www.TerryLawOffice.com for more information.
