I encountered the slip, trip and fall problems nearly every day I performed the senior circuit - it's part of the business. However, you have to make it clear to the staff that they MUST have someone in the room with you the entire time you are playing, and they must be attentive to the potential dancer loosing control and falling. An attentive AD and their staff would frequently stop someone from dancing if there seemed to be a problem along these lines. Additionally, I always encourage dangers to remain on tile floors, and not dance in carpeted areas where they are more prone to tripping and their footing is not as secure while dancing. Finally, I carried $1,000,000 in liability insurance, which some locations required, just to be on the safe side. Personally, I know of no entertainer that has been sued because someone fell and was injured on a dance floor, but in our suit happy world, this could easily happen.

Now, if you do not have a written contract or agreement with the facilities where you perform, I strongly suggest that you put one together ASAP. The contract should clearly spell out the requirement that someone is in the room with the patients at all times. This could save your butt from a law suit and loads of grief in the future.

Good luck,

Gary