Minnesota State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Interviewed on No Touch Policies

December 03, 2025

An investigation found that a 79-year-old resident at a Minnesota long-term care facility died after falling off his electric scooter and becoming pinned against a wall, slowly suffocating while staff did not intervene, in part because of a “no touch” fall policy that instructed workers not to assist fallen residents and instead call 911. Surveillance video showed staff watching the man struggle for about 13 minutes before help was summoned, and Minnesota health officials later cited the facility for neglect and fined it. Critics say policies that prohibit staff from helping residents after a fall can create serious safety risks, and the Minnesota State Long-Term Care Ombudsman has urged reconsideration of such procedures.

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