New and Revised Products
Products
News Center
Disease Management
Provider Start Ups
Specialty Programs
Knowledge Point Articles

Conferences
FAQs
Additional Links

Long-Term Care
Assisted Living
Home Care
Hospice
Hospitals
Physicians & Clinics

Knowledge Point Articles   

February 2007

Assisted Living Fall Prevention: Creating a Safe Environment

Assisted living is one of the fastest growing forms of residential housing for older Americans for a good reason. The image of seniors receiving necessary care and services in a homelike environment while regaining dignity and independence is an appealing one. With estimates of the number of facilities throughout the U.S. offering assisted living programs reaching up to 36,000, creating a safe environment for seniors in these communities becomes paramount. Establishing a fall prevention program not only ensures the safety of residents, it protects the facility as well.     
  
The rationale behind a fall prevention program is clear because it identifies residents who are at risk for falls to keep them safe from injury while promoting resident safety. While each assisted living facility should design protocols to reflect the needs of the individual community, all fall prevention programs share these common objectives:

• The program must include minimum safeguard components to ensure a safe environment
• The facility must conduct ongoing fall prevention training for staff and caregivers
• The facility must promote the fall prevention program with all residents and prospects

There are two main assessments needed to implement a fall prevention program: the physical environment of the facility and the residents’ individual evaluations. The environmental assessment includes an evaluation of both a resident’s apartment or suite and all of the commonly used space in the assisted living facility. The assessment helps identify actual and potential trip hazards such as design elements, furniture, or electric cords in pathways and gathering areas. A review of the residences assesses additional risk factors varying from the thickness of any carpet in the apartment, to more personal practices, such as wearing proper footwear in the residence.

Individual assessments are more comprehensive, usually including input from the resident, family members and caregivers. The first step is an evaluation of the resident conducted by the facility. Factors used to measure the resident’s medical history include any medications that could alter equilibrium, mental status and use of assistive devices. Often conducted prior to admission to the facility, this information is shared with caregivers to develop a personalized fall prevention curriculum for the senior.

The perspective of a resident’s family also plays an important role in developing a fall prevention strategy. Because of the nature of their relationship with the senior, most caregivers also develop a rapport with the resident’s family. This can be beneficial as the family’s assistance can help with implementing the strategy, which often times leads to a creative compromise between the resident’s needs and wants. For example, the caregiver for a female resident who enjoys wearing high heels can designate a “dress-up day” where staff could offer her assistance with walking that day. The woman still gets to experience what is meaningful in her life under safe conditions.

The one overarching consideration to keep in mind with a fall prevention program is the balance between residents’ rights and their safety. Assisted living is more than a facility. It’s also someone’s home. Any strategies introduced need to be presented as a means of ensuring an independent lifestyle, not
diminishing it.

For more information on Fall Prevention resources available from Briggs,
click here.

Reprinted with permission by:

Life Care Services LLC

Back to Knowledge Point Articles