Stairwell Safety in Residential Buildings

Veteran missing for a month found dead in VA stairwell

(CNN)

“She’s unrecognizable” - Family grieving loved one found dead in a stairwell

(News12NY)

NewCareTec’s Stairwell Safety Monitor

Introducing SafeAlert™

The SafeAlert™ technology is innovative and cost-effective. When the system detects a resident, visitor, or other individual in a fallen or stranded condition in a stairwell, our SMARTer building solution promptly alerts the appropriate building personnel. The responder’s prompt intervention significantly improves the outcome of a safety or medical incident which can also mitigate costs for the building operator. SafeAlert™ is secure and thoroughly protects individual privacy & dignity.

The Problem: Stairwells are notorious blind spots. A resident can fall or suffer a medical emergency and remain stranded for hours before a scheduled staff round. In the eyes of 2026 CMS surveyors, a prolonged delay in response turns a standard incident into a severe citation for "Failure to Maintain a Safe Environment."

The SafeAlert™ Solution: SafeAlert™ turns unmonitored stairwells into smart zones. It provides immediate, automated notifications when a resident falls or becomes stranded, allowing staff to intervene before an incident escalates into a major, prolonged trauma.

EVERY YEAR in AMERICA

Resident falls are the leading cause of injury among adults aged 65 and older

3 Million emergency department visits

One in four older adults falls each year, with 37% reporting injury requiring care

Stairwell falls contribute to 12,000 deaths

$90 Billion in costs incurred due to stairwell injuries

When a stairwell safety or medical incident occurs, the residential building management may face unexpected consequences.

Minimizing the impact of such incidents could save the business money and prevent a damaged reputation.

Under the 2026 MDS 3.0 updates, CMS has widened the definition of reportable falls. CMS Falls and Major Injury (FMI) measure influences star ratings, pubic reporting, value-based purchasing and reimbursement.