Answer:
Spiral arm fractures can occur due to falls
Explanation:
A spiral fracture is a type of bone fracture that occurs when the bone is subjected to a corkscrew-like twisting force beyond its normal pliability. Because it typically requires a forceful twisting nature to cause a clean break (differentiating this type from a greenstick fracture), these fractures are commonly associated with physical abuse.
However, spiral fractures can also result from falls, especially if comorbidities are present that can increase the patient's likelihood. In the case of a patient with dementia and a past medical history of stroke living in a long-term care facility (e.g. nursing home), dementia typically develops and manifests in the elder stage of life and older adults experience diminished bone density with age, which translates to decreased flexibility of the bone, and an increased likelihood of breaks.
In skilled nursing facilities like nursing homes, the walls may have handrails for guiding patients as they walk. If the older patient falls while still holding onto said railing, sufficient twisting motion to cause a spiral fracture can happen. It can also occur if the falling older patient places their twisted arm out in the direction that they are falling and their bodyweight places too much force on this outstretched extremity.
Because it is plausible that a fall caused a spiral arm fracture in a nursing home patient, the result may not be criminal charges.