After a resident fall, the early hours matter because records get written, updated, and sometimes inconsistently. Start a simple “fall file” (paper or digital) and gather:
- Your loved one’s exact location within the facility (room, bathroom, hallway, dining area, etc.)
- Time of the fall as reported by staff and any later corrections
- How they were found (on the floor, near a doorway, in the bathroom, etc.)
- What staff observed (dizziness, rushing, confusion, wet floors, alarm issues)
- Whether video was requested/preserved and who you spoke with
- Medical records from the first evaluation (ER discharge, CT/MRI results if applicable, head injury notes)
If you can safely do so, take photos of visible hazards only if the facility permits and local rules allow. Otherwise, request that the facility preserve evidence (including maintenance logs and camera footage).


