A patient left carelessly on the edge of her bed, a resident who requires the help of two staff but receives help from only one, mechanical lifts operated by staff who do not know how to use them, absence of bed/chair fall alarms, low beds, and fall mats, and inadequate supervision.  Falls occur far too frequently in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, but they are preventable with the right safety equipment and supervision.  Falls have catastrophic consequences -- broken bones, hip fractures, head injuries, and death.  

Malnutrition in nursing homes and assisted living facilities occurs when patients are not given enough to eat.  Meal trays are left far away from patients who cannot reach them.  Overworked staff does not have time to help slow eaters.  Residents who say they are not hungry once are not given a chance to change their minds.  Malnutrition causes loss of function, reduces the body’s ability to fight off pressure ulcers and infection, and results in a wasting away.  Malnutrition is preventable with proper staffing, supervision, and care.