Silver Lake has a health center but no clinic. By clinic, I mean a medical facility that treats injuries and medical conditions for people still living in independent residential settings.

We do have a “visiting nurse” during the day, 5 days a week. Her job is largely to monitor the community’s health, checking in on those with health problems and referring them to treatment. She is not allowed to prescribe or treat anything more serious than a hangnail.

The local fire department provides emergency medical care. This “emergency care” includes assessing and assisting those who fall.

The staff at Silver Lake is not allowed to help fallen residents due to liability concerns. Residents are discouraged from assisting, but we do so if the resident refuses to call the fire department and gives permission.