Updates

Falls are one of the biggest health risks for older adults. In fact, millions of people over the age of 55 fall each year, and many of these falls lead to broken bones, hospital stays, or a loss of independence. The good news is that most falls can be prevented. With a few simple changes, seniors can stay safe, active, and confident in their own homes — or in a supportive affordable assisted living community like Community Village.

Below are the top three fall prevention tips every older adult (and their family) should know. We’ll also explain how affordable senior living and low-income assisted living facilities can make fall prevention easier for seniors on a fixed income.

Why Fall Prevention Matters for Seniors 55+

As we age, our balance, muscle strength, and eyesight can change. These changes make it easier to trip, slip, or lose balance. A fall might seem minor, but for older adults, even a small fall can lead to serious injury, fear of falling again, and reduced quality of life.

The good news? Fall prevention doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Many of the best strategies are free or low-cost, making them a great fit for seniors living on a limited budget. For families searching for budget-friendly senior care or a low-income assisted living facility near me, understanding these tips can help you choose a community that puts safety first.

Tip 1: Make the Home Safer

Most falls happen at home, often in ordinary places like the bathroom, kitchen, or stairs. Making small changes around the house can make a big difference.

Here are simple, low-cost ways to fall-proof a living space:

• Remove clutter and loose rugs. Boxes, cords, and rugs are common tripping hazards. Keep floors and walkways clear.
• Add grab bars. Install grab bars near the toilet and in the shower or tub. Many community programs offer these for free or at a reduced cost.
• Improve lighting. Use bright bulbs and night-lights in hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Poor lighting makes it hard to see hazards.
• Use non-slip mats. Place non-slip mats in the bathroom and kitchen, where floors often get wet.
• Secure stairs with handrails. Make sure handrails are sturdy on both sides of the staircase.

This is one reason many families choose an affordable assisted living facility. Our community is built with senior safety in mind, including grab bars, wide hallways, good lighting, and no-step entries — features that can be costly to add to a private home but come standard in a well-designed low-income senior housing community.

Tip 2: Stay Active and Build Strength

Regular movement is one of the most powerful tools for fall prevention. Strong muscles and good balance help seniors catch themselves before a stumble turns into a fall.

Simple ways to stay active include:

• Walking daily. Even a short walk around the block or hallway helps maintain strength and balance.
• Balance exercises. Standing on one foot (while holding onto a counter) or practicing heel-to-toe walking can improve stability.
• Chair exercises. For seniors with limited mobility, seated exercises can still build leg and core strength.
• Group fitness classes. Many affordable senior living communities like Community Village offer free exercise classes designed for older adults, such as chair yoga or gentle stretching.

Staying active also supports mental health, which matters just as much as physical safety. Seniors who exercise regularly often report feeling more confident and less afraid of falling. This is a major reason many low-income assisted living facilities include fitness programs at no extra cost — helping residents stay strong without the price tag of a private gym membership.

Tip 3: Review Medications and Get Regular Checkups

Many people don’t realize that certain medications can increase the risk of falling. Drugs that cause dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure can make it harder to stay steady on your feet.

Steps seniors can take:

• Ask a doctor or pharmacist for a medication review. This helps identify any drugs that may increase fall risk.
• Get vision and hearing checked yearly. Poor eyesight or hearing can affect balance and awareness of surroundings.
• Monitor blood pressure. Sudden drops in blood pressure when standing up can cause dizziness and falls.
• Wear proper footwear. Shoes with good grip and support are safer than slippers or socks.

Regular checkups are easier to keep up with when healthcare support is part of daily life. Many affordable assisted living facilities for seniors offer on-site or nearby medical support, medication management, and wellness checks — services that are often included in the cost of care, making them a smart option for seniors who need extra support but are watching their budget.

Finding Affordable, Safe Senior Living

Fall prevention works best when it’s part of daily life, not just an occasional effort. That’s why many families search for a low-income assisted living facility like Community Village that already has safety features built in — things like handrails, emergency call systems, well-lit hallways, and staff trained to help residents move safely.

If you or a loved one are looking for affordable senior housing that supports fall prevention and overall wellness, look for a community that offers:

• Grab bars and no-step showers in every unit
• 24-hour staff support
• On-site medication management
• Group exercise and wellness programs
• Well-lit, clutter-free common areas
• Emergency call systems in every room

These features aren’t luxury add-ons — they’re essential parts of safe, affordable assisted living for low-income seniors. A good community makes fall prevention simple, so residents can focus on enjoying life instead of worrying about safety.

Final Thoughts

Falls don’t have to be a normal part of aging. By making the home safer, staying active, and keeping up with medical checkups, seniors 55+ can lower their risk and stay independent longer. For those who need extra support, an affordable assisted living facility can provide the safety features, care, and community that make fall prevention part of everyday life — without breaking the budget.

If you’re exploring options for yourself or a loved one, ask us how we support fall prevention. The right answer can make all the difference in staying safe, healthy, and confident for years to come.

Respite care at an assisted living facility is a short-term stay designed to provide a temporary reprieve. While it might seem like it’s only for the person moving in, it’s actually a package deal that benefits two distinct groups.

1. The Family Caregiver

Caregiver burnout is incredibly real, both physically and emotionally. The people who often benefit the absolute most from respite care aren’t the ones packing their bags for a visit to Community Village—it’s the one staying behind to catch their breath.

Respite care is a lifesaver for caregivers who need to:

• Prevent Burnout: Recharge their own physical and mental batteries to avoid resentment or exhaustion.
• Handle Personal Emergencies or Obligations: Take a vacation, attend to their own medical needs/surgeries, or go on a business trip with total peace of mind.
• Test the Waters: Evaluate if a specific assisted living facility is a good long-term fit for their loved one without making a permanent commitment.

2. The Older Adult

For the seniors themselves, respite care isn’t just a holding pattern; it can be a highly beneficial change of pace. Seniors living alone at home often experience a major mood boost from the community activities, group dining, and social events offered during a short-term stay.

If you are a family caregiver who is feeling overwhelmed, contact us today to find out more about your options! You deserve a break, too!

When: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Time: 11am to 11pm

Present the ticket below (print version or digital version) to your server and Buffalo Wild Wings will donate 20% of your total bill to Community Village Assisted Living!

Journey To Community Village

As is true for so many young people, Shannon started her collegiate classes heading in one direction – to become a veterinarian – and eventually settled into a degree as a social worker.

Her first employment after earning her degree was as a social worker in the mental health system. Shannon reflects back on the experience: “That was very taxing! I realized it takes a special kind of person to help this population. I met a lot of wonderful people and learned a lot, but found myself depressed because I couldn’t get rid of their depression or schizophrenia.”

After that tough realization, Shannon was tapped to be a social worker at a nursing home for the next five years or so. “Hardest social worker job I’ve ever had because of all the regulations. Plus there were so many dynamics between families and residents and employees. But during this time, I became aware of how much I really enjoyed the geriatric population. They say what they think, have so much experience to share with us, and a lot of great stories. What they need is someone to advocate for them as their world is changing all around them. I really enjoyed doing that for them!”

Shannon transitioned into hospice social work next and was, to no surprise,  assigned nursing homes. She wrote grants, became an advocate, and found this to be the best social worker position she has had. “You’re coming into someone’s life who is nearing death and – especially elderly people – they know that it’s coming, so I was just helping them plan it out as best as they can control.”

Being a highly motivated person, Shannon decided she wanted to be in a position to make more change. Social workers do a lot of fixing and community resourcing. But there are so many barriers in connecting people with the resources they need. With motivation, Shannon returned to school to earn a Masters in Business so she can do more to institute change.

“Then somehow – and I guess it’s just the way God wanted things to go because it really wasn’t my plan – I ended up finding a job where I talked to people about end-of-life, life insurance, and financial planning. The downside was that though I loved helping them, I was making next to nothing living on commissions. The upside was that I met great people and learned marketing skills and a public speaking presence that has served me well ever since.”

For the next four years, Shannon managed marketing and admissions for Brittany Manor nursing home. She connected people with resources they needed and if she couldn’t provide the service, she would find what they needed elsewhere. At this same time, Shannon took a class and did home study to pass her Nursing Home Administrator’s License. This prepared her to transition into the Administrator in Training program until her Administrator retired. Shannon filled this role of Administrator for seven years until she came to Community Village in 2024.

“I loved the people I worked with and the residents, but the regulations were so strict that I was constantly battling to keep residents happy and with freedom living in their home and to still follow the strict regulations of the nursing home. I spent far too much time doing audits and reports than time with people, with residents. I learned a lot and grew professionally during these years of managing staff, families, navigating through the high-stress of COVID, and everyday problem resolution.” With what felt a little bit like a grand orchestration, as Shannon was becoming ready for something a little less stressful and less regulated, the word came to her that Robin was planning her retirement from Administrator at Community Village. Then Shannon got a phone call, then an interview, and a second interview!

Experiencing “Community” Village

Coming from a 150-bed facility to an 90-bed facility at Community Village seemed like it might be a big adjustment – maybe one she wouldn’t like! “But then I experienced walking into the building – and music was playing and residents were dancing and everyone was friendly. I felt an immediate warmth! It’s truly a community!”

“Yes, the building is a bit dated, it’s no 5-star facility like what I was used to – and it was hard leaving Brittany Manor, yet it felt so right for me to make the move. I can interact with all of my staff here – all shifts. I can get to know them and actually communicate with them. I still do plenty of reports, but reports are not the primary focus of my work here… people are the focus!

“The residents here make you feel like a movie star whenever you see them! They all knew my name before I had the chance to learn theirs. They’re cheery and quick to greet me each morning… and they are just a lot of fun!”

Moving Forward

When asked what her plans are for moving forward, Shannon focuses on those things that impact the two fundamental aspects of Community Village: residents and staff.

Policy & Procedures: “We’re actively reviewing and updating policy books, processes, and procedures so that we’re all on the same page and following the same procedures for the best care for residents. Former administrators Ken Streeter and Robin Rappley have been a fantastic resource in providing insight for all the moving pieces.”

Staffing & Retention: “I’ve discovered that the team here is really great about trying new things – which is a bit unusual. Change can be difficult, but I’ve been involving both staff and floor managers in conversations and in planning. So we’re collaborating to make our systems useful for everyone. There’s so much potential here with this staff. I’ve been asking ‘what do you want to know more about and what do you want to learn?’ If you want to know more, learn more, and be better? Let’s do it! We’ll invest in YOU. Because our team is excited and engaged, staff retention has improved dramatically.

The Community Village staff are fun people, too! As their work schedule permits, they join in the dancing or the costume competitions or the numerous other things going on. Everyone has fun… together!

Facility: “When I came, there were some facility repairs that needed to be done. One of my strengths is environmental plant, so I would make rounds looking for things that needed attention. Keith and I would have conversations on how to make it look better. We’ve done a lot of painting, replacing flooring, and even  upgrading furniture. Though we don’t need 5-star fancy, we want a standard that we all would have within our own homes… and I think we’re doing a good job with that.”

It’s Positively Different At Community Village

Community Village is all about helping people, even people who cannot afford the help. “This has been reiterated to me numerous times and in various ways. The price difference between most assisted living homes and Community Village is vast and ridiculous, and yet there’s no difference in quality of care. I often remind people that ‘The paint color doesn’t give your mom a shower. We’ll make sure the shower is clean, safe, and in good condition, but it’s never going to be a marble shower with a fancy shower head. It’s the care that matters.’ I see the care firsthand when staff shows up – on their day off – because a particular resident is sick and they’re not sure they’ll live much longer. By their own choosing, our staff all attend the services for residents who have passed away. They truly care! It’s our responsibility to care for these residents and we have a great team of people who love doing so!”