Slip and Fall Prevention: Required Regulations in Senior Living Apartments
Slip and fall accidents are one of the biggest risks for the elderly. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), three million elderly people are seen in the emergency room for slip and fall related injuries every year and over 800,000 people are hospitalized for their injuries. Hazards in the home are one of the main causes of falls, which is why is it extremely important that assisted living facilities for seniors follow regulations for preventing their residents from falling.
Slip and Fall Regulations
There are strict regulations for senior housing, especially assisted living facilities, in Florida. The Florida Health Care Association or FHCA is an important advocacy organization that promulgates regulations for assisted living and nursing homes in Florida, helping protect the safety and rights of the elderly. Some of regulations include building codes for assisted living facilities, which have provisions related to the prevention of slips and falls accidents, including:
- Non-slip mats or stickers in showers and bathtubs.
- Grab bars in tubs and showers.
- Grab bars next to the commode.
- Providing a safe environment.
Depending on the patient’s level of mobility and the type of facility, it may be required that the patient is supervised during certain activities. For example, someone with balance issues or limited walking abilities may need supervision when showering or bathing to prevent slips and falls accidents. They also may require a walker, cane or other device to help prevent such accidents.
Some of the common-sense ways senior living apartments can prevent slip and fall accidents include providing adequate lighting, maintaining safe flooring and removing hazardous items that can cause a fall. Like any facility, marking wet floors and de-icing outdoor areas in cold weather are all important to preventing slip and fall accidents.
When assisted living facilities or nursing homes fail to provide a safe environment for their residents and a resident is injured due to negligence, the facility may be liable for any resulting injuries. If you have an elderly relative who has been injured in a senior living facility due to poor maintenance or violations of safety rules, contact our team at Tison Law Group. Your loved one may be entitled to receive compensation for their injuries.
