If you live in a senior living community, you probably know the team is prepared to handle any emergency. But how do they do this? What’s their plan of action during an emergency? How do they keep residents safe, and how can residents help out? Let’s take a look at these questions and more as we explore what senior residences in Columbia, SC do when there’s an emergency on site.
Identifying Potential Hazards
The first step to preparing for emergencies is to identify the hazards that may be present in your community. Your retirement community needs to be aware of potential issues, such as electrical malfunctions or water leaks, so they can take action before an incident occurs. Hazards are anything that could pose a threat to residents, staff, or property.
- Fires and explosions: Fires are a common source of injury and death among older adults. One out of four deaths due to fires occurs in individuals 65 years old or older.
- The risk increases with age as well; aging loved ones have higher rates of hospitalization from burns than younger people.
- Medical emergencies: Many senior living communities house individuals who depend on medical equipment such as oxygen tanks or dialysis machines for survival–and these devices can malfunction during an emergency.
- Also consider the possibility that some residents may be unable to access their medications during an evacuation because they’re too frail or confused by the commotion surrounding them.
- Other residents may require assistance if there’s suddenly no electricity available (older adults often don’t know how long their batteries will last).
Keeping Track Of Residents During An Emergency
Keeping track of your loved ones during an emergency can be a challenge. If you have a senior living community in your area, they are likely to have systems that help them locate residents quickly and efficiently. This is especially important in medical emergencies like cardiac arrest or stroke.
In many cases, Retirement communities will have an agreement with local EMS providers that allows them access to the building to get patients out quickly. Additionally, some communities may also have call buttons installed throughout the facility so that if someone has fallen or needs assistance getting up from bed or chair, team members can respond immediately without waiting for someone else who may be busy with another task at the time of need.
Creating A Communication Plan
A communication plan is a must-have for all senior living communities. The care team should be trained on how to use the different methods of communication, including what they should do in an emergency.
The most common form of communication is the telephone, but there are other ways that residents can receive help if they need it:
- Text messages or emails sent from staff members through an app on their phone or computer
- Pagers that buzz when someone tries to contact them with an urgent message
Stocking Up On Supplies
Senior living communities work closely with local authorities to ensure they are prepared for emergencies. They also ensure that their care team and residents know how to respond to an emergency.
We hope you feel more confident that your loved one is safe in their senior living community. Remember, it’s important to stay vigilant and check in on your loved one as often as possible. You can also help by getting involved with local emergency planning efforts in your area!
