Two Bills Look to Address High Rate of Falls by the Elderly in Wisconsin

Wednesday, February 14th, 2024 -- 12:00 PM

(Benita Mathew, Green Bay Press-Gazette) Two new bills could implement lifting devices and fall prevention and recovery programs in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Wisconsin.

According to Benita Mathew with the Green Bay Press-Gazette, led by Oshkosh-area public safety officials and lawmakers, the initiative to improve fall recovery in the state could improve Wisconsin's ranking as the No. 1 state in the number of falls and fall-related deaths.

Falls are on the rise statewide among residents 60 and older. Firefighters and emergency medical technicians regularly respond to "lift assists" in senior living facilities to help residents get back up, though they weren't injured and don't need to be taken to a hospital.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities often have "no lift" or "no touch" policies in Wisconsin that prevent the employees at the facilities from touching clients after a fall and possibly hurting them. The policies require the facilities to call 911 and wait instead. The two bills would allow staff to help residents up instead of calling 911. State Rep. Lori Palmeri, D-Oshkosh, authored the bills.

If they're approved, they would also create a statewide requirement for CPR training in assisted living facilities and ease some of the workload on understaffed emergency responders.

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