Falls are among the most serious health risks affecting older adults, especially those with mobility challenges, chronic health conditions, or cognitive impairment such as dementia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 4 seniors aged 65 and older fall each year, leading to over 3 million emergency department visits annually. For those in senior living, fall prevention isn’t just a best practice — it’s a life-saving priority.
At DeSano Place, Assisted Living Homes, we serve the Twin Falls, ID community with a strong commitment to safety and dignity. Our 24-hour assisted living support includes an extensive fall prevention strategy that combines evidence-based training, advanced technologies, and personalized care — all designed to reduce risk and promote confidence in daily life.
This article provides a detailed look at how DeSano’s fall prevention programs operate, and why proactive safety measures are so essential in senior care settings, particularly for residents with dementia or other memory-related conditions.
Why Fall Prevention is Crucial in Assisted Living Settings
As we age, physical and cognitive changes increase the likelihood of falling. These include:
- Decreased balance and coordination
- Vision deterioration
- Side effects from medications
- Chronic conditions such as arthritis or neuropathy
- Cognitive impairments that affect awareness or spatial judgment
For residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, these challenges are magnified. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that dementia patients are up to twice as likely to fall as cognitively healthy individuals. Disorientation, impulsiveness, and poor depth perception make it difficult for them to recognize hazards or navigate safely — especially in unfamiliar or dimly lit environments.
Beyond the physical injuries, falls often result in fear, loss of independence, and faster functional decline. This is why every assisted living community must have a robust, active, and responsive fall prevention plan — not just a reactive policy after an incident.
DeSano Place’s Comprehensive Fall Prevention Approach
At DeSano Place, fall prevention is embedded into every aspect of care. Our Twin Falls-based team takes a multi-disciplinary, proactive approach that includes physical support, staff training, resident education, and technology-enhanced monitoring.
1. Initial and Ongoing Fall Risk Assessments
Every new resident at DeSano undergoes a comprehensive fall risk assessment upon move-in. This includes:
- Medical history review
- Evaluation of gait and mobility
- Review of medications that may cause dizziness or sedation
- Home-like environmental safety checks
These assessments aren’t a one-time event. We re-evaluate risks quarterly or after any health status change, ensuring care plans stay aligned with the resident’s evolving needs.
2. Environmental Safety Modifications
We design our community spaces with safety in mind:
- Non-slip flooring throughout living areas
- Handrails in hallways and bathrooms
- Bright, even lighting with motion-activated nightlights
- Low-threshold showers with built-in seating
- Contrasting colors for stairs and flooring transitions
Our private and shared rooms are also equipped with easy-access call buttons and emergency alert systems for 24/7 assistance.
3. 24-Hour Assisted Living Support
Our highly trained care team provides around-the-clock supervision, which includes:
- Safe transfers in and out of beds and chairs
- Mobility assistance with walkers or wheelchairs
- Nighttime checks to reduce overnight wandering or disorientation
- Prompt response to alerts, minimizing the severity of incidents
This 24-hour presence offers peace of mind to both residents and their families — especially for those whose loved ones are at high risk due to dementia or frailty.
4. Staff Training in Fall Prevention Best Practices
Our caregivers receive specialized training that emphasizes:
- Safe lifting and mobility support
- Monitoring hydration and nutrition, which affect strength and balance
- Proper footwear guidance and use of walking aids
- Emergency response procedures for fall incidents
We also train staff to recognize early warning signs — such as unsteadiness, fatigue, or confusion — that may indicate a rising risk.
Specialized Fall Precautions for Residents With Dementia
Residents experiencing cognitive decline require nuanced strategies to ensure safety without undermining their dignity. DeSano Place integrates dementia-specific fall prevention techniques to support these residents in meaningful ways:
- Visual cues and signage help orient residents to rooms and pathways, reducing wandering.
- Reduced clutter and simplified layouts make environments easier to navigate.
- Soft flooring materials in dementia care wings cushion accidental falls.
- Adaptive routines and consistent daily schedules lower anxiety and impulsive movement.
Additionally, our memory care-trained staff engage in gentle redirection and structured activities that limit unaccompanied wandering or unsafe mobility attempts.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Safety
Modern fall prevention isn’t just about people — it’s also about smart technology that supplements human support. At DeSano Place, we leverage several tech solutions, including:
- Pressure-sensitive bed and chair alarms that alert caregivers when a high-risk resident attempts to stand without help
- Wearable alert systems that notify staff in real time if a resident leaves a safe area
- Motion-activated lighting to help residents see clearly during nighttime bathroom trips
These tools not only enhance response times, but also preserve residents’ privacy and autonomy by allowing subtle, non-intrusive monitoring.
Promoting Strength and Balance Through Daily Activities
Physical activity is a powerful defense against falls. That’s why we incorporate mobility-enhancing routines into daily life at DeSano Place, such as:
- Gentle chair yoga and tai chi
- Balance-focused exercise groups
- Supervised walks in enclosed outdoor areas
- Coordination games and dance classes
All activities are supervised and adjusted based on ability, ensuring each resident gets both engagement and functional benefit — without putting themselves at risk.
Family Involvement and Transparency
DeSano Place works closely with families to keep them informed and empowered. If a fall does occur — despite every preventive effort — families are notified promptly, and the care plan is updated with additional safety measures.
We also encourage families to participate in fall prevention planning by:
- Attending care meetings
- Sharing input about their loved one’s mobility patterns and history
- Providing appropriate footwear or mobility aids
This collaborative model ensures that every layer of fall prevention — from design to day-to-day care — is informed, inclusive, and compassionate.
Why Families in Twin Falls Choose DeSano for Safe Senior Living
Twin Falls families trust DeSano Place, Assisted Living Homes because our commitment to safety is backed by action — not just policies. In our years of service to the local community, we have built a culture where fall prevention is not just a checklist, but a daily promise.
Whether you are caring for a parent with dementia or simply looking for a secure and nurturing environment, our facility offers:
- Proactive fall risk assessments and ongoing monitoring
- 24-hour trained caregiving teams on-site
- Safe design with resident-friendly layouts
- Smart technology to support real-time alerts
- Programs that promote strength, balance, and independence
If you’re exploring senior care options in Twin Falls, ID, we welcome you to schedule a tour. Come see how DeSano Place turns concern into confidence, helping your loved one live not just safely — but fully.