By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Tooth Decay Marielaina Perrone DDS
    Is Your Child’s Education Affected By Tooth Decay?
    December 13, 2012
    Image
    Millions of Americans Could Lose ACA Subsidies
    July 21, 2014
    Image
    IVF: The Three Biggest Myths
    March 22, 2013
    Latest News
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Exposing Hidden Dangers: 8 Health Hazards of Assisted Living Facilities
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Senior Care > Exposing Hidden Dangers: 8 Health Hazards of Assisted Living Facilities
Senior Care

Exposing Hidden Dangers: 8 Health Hazards of Assisted Living Facilities

Aaron Barriga
Last updated: October 29, 2024 8:05 pm
Aaron Barriga
Share
7 Min Read
assisted living dangers
Shutterstock Photo License - By CGN089
SHARE

Have you noticed unexplainable bruising on your senior loved one or observed them clambering around their home, unable to perform basic tasks? If so, it may be time to discuss the possibility of moving them to an assisted living facility to help them navigate their day-to-day life safely. However, before you haul your elderly parent or loved one to the nearest center, you need to account for the safety concerns that come along with institutional care.

Contents
Sub-par alert systemLow-lightingMedicinal miscalculationsInaccessible walkwaysMissing railingsStaff misconduct and abuseUnmaintained flooringContagious infectionsWrapping up

Unfortunately, senior living facilities come with a unique set of health hazards, from neglectful staff to low-lighting to medication mess-ups. There is an overlooked epidemic of nursing home abuse. That said, you can dodge potential disasters by comparing different centers and selecting a top-rated institution or bypassing facility care altogether by enlisting an at-home caregiver. 

When you opt for a caregiving service like 24 Hour Home Care, you can keep health risks at bay without sacrificing your elderly loved one’s comfort. The in-house staff offers seniors personalized, compassionate, hands-on care in the safety of their space, allowing them more independence and freedom. However, depending on your elder’s condition and disabilities, they may need more round-the-clock services provided by a facility.

If you and your elderly loved one are considering an assisted living center, read on for eight hazards to watch out for before sending them off to an insufficient, ill-staffed home.

More Read

Health In Your 60s: How To Prevent Common Conditions
HealthKeeperz President Reflects on 50 Years of Healthcare
How To Achieve Sustainable Growth For Your Home Healthcare Business
Avoiding End of Life Transfers from Nursing Home to Hospital
A Comprehensive Guide To Senior Veterans Healthcare Benefits

Sub-par alert system

Although assisted living facilities may offer more comprehensive, continuous care to your senior loved one, keeping a constant eye on each patient 24/7 is impossible. To combat periods where the elders are unsupervised, reputable care centers have installed security equipment that can alert staff of unseen accidents. The right medical alert system can do a lot to protect them.

Unfortunately, many elderly living institutions forgo proper safety systems resulting in dangerous situations and health complications for your loved one. Ultimately, it would be wise to steer clear of facilities that are missing essential emergency pull-chains, reachable call buttons, and personal alarm devices.

Low-lighting

Another hazard many well-meaning loved ones overlook when admitting their senior parent into a facility is low or too bright lighting. While it may not seem like a significant detail, dim or harsh light can easily disorient senior citizens, causing dangerous trips and falls. To bypass unnecessary hazards, elderly centers should include well-lit common areas, additional lighting via lamps, and easily accessible switches to ensure senior safety.

Medicinal miscalculations

For seniors who rely on multiple medications to keep painful, disruptive health complications at bay, administering the correct amount is critical to avoid adverse effects or overdose. While top-rated assisted living facilities have organized, well-oiled methods of administration and tracking, ill-equipped centers often find pills slipping through the cracks. Take special care in selecting a facility that cross-references medications and keeps tabs on daily doses to bypass nasty side effects or dangerous overtreatment.

Inaccessible walkways

When searching for a living facility for your senior loved one, make sure you visit each place to check for uneven, inaccessible walkways that increase the risk of slipping and falling. While one might expect senior centers to feature spacious hallways and clutter-free pathways, some older, ill-equipped facilities may be cramped and unkempt. If your elderly loved one relies on a walker, wheelchair, or cane to navigate their space, walkway obstructions could make it impossible for them to move about safely.

Missing railings

An essential component of any high-quality care facility is accessible, sturdy handrails and grab bars that keep unsteady seniors from tumbling to the ground when wobbling throughout their space. Unfortunately, many assisted living institutions have inadequate railings, resulting in unsafe conditions for unbalanced individuals or those prone to dizzy spells.

In addition to staircases or ramps, handrails should be installed next to each bed, beside toilets, and down hallways to ensure elderly folk can utilize the facility in its entirety. Additionally, all chairs should have solid armrests that can bear weight when leaned against for support.

Staff misconduct and abuse

Unfortunately, there is a long history of neglect and misconduct amongst caregiving staff in assisted living facilities, resulting in mentally and physically dangerous situations for elderly folk.

While reputable centers have implemented more strict, intensive background checks and feature a zero-tolerance policy for abuse, others are laxer, causing a dip in compassionate, personalized care. Before you select a facility, read reviews and look closely for a history of complaints to ensure your loved one receives humane care at the hands of experts.

Unmaintained flooring

Older, run-down assisted living facilities often feature under-maintained flooring that can be potentially dangerous for seniors simply walking to and from their room. Between uneven hardwood panels, grimy, germ-infested carpet, and rug-happy walkways, you’ll want to avoid poorly maintained flooring at all costs to ensure your loved ones can navigate their space freely.

Contagious infections

When residing in a space with immunocompromized seniors, it can be nearly impossible to avoid infections or viruses entirely. That said, when choosing a facility for your elderly loved one, make sure staff are well-equipped to handle outbreaks with antibiotics and other medications to curb the infection curve. Without proper precautions in place, infectious germs and diseases can spread like wildfire, wreaking havoc on the resident’s health.

Wrapping up

While it may seem like the safer option to send your senior loved one off to an assisted care facility, there are significant risk factors to consider that can negatively affect their mental and physical health. Should you decide to overlook the benefits of aging in place, avoid centers with ineffective security systems, inaccessible walkways, and heaps of client complaints to ensure your elderly family member is comfortable and well-taken care of in their new home. 

TAGGED:assisted livingnursing homessenior caresenior health
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Aaron Barriga
Follow:
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK. Aaron loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
Mental Health
June 18, 2025
healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025

You Might also Like

senior homes
Senior Care

How To Overcome Staffing Shortages In Senior Homes

June 14, 2023
senior care training
MedicareSenior Care

4 Things Senior Healthcare Providers Need Training for

July 2, 2024
technology helps aging seniors
Senior CareTechnology

Best Technology Devices to help Seniors Age in Place

June 13, 2022
elderly parents
Senior Care

Should Your Elderly Parent Be Living Alone? 6 Signs That They Need More Help

December 12, 2021
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?