When you’re trying to find the best assisted living community, safety matters. You want to feel confident that your loved one is secure in their new home at all times of day. But don’t assume that that’s the case.
Instead, head into the decision-making process with an informed mind. Continue reading to learn about the essential safety features in assisted living communities you should prioritize!
Secure Building Entrances
Safe senior living environments start with safe entrances. After all, you don’t want just anyone entering and exiting a building. All entrances should have keypads or locks to ensure that only residents, staff, and identified guests can enter.
Many senior living communities have common spaces indoors and outdoors for social events. For outdoor spaces, there should be fencing around the perimeter. This creates a physical barricade that can prevent residents from wandering away and keep out intruders.
Surveillance cameras are another security feature that senior living communities should have. Cameras can capture footage while providing a visual cue that the property is being watched. They should be placed over entrance points and in hallways and in all gathering areas.
Fall Prevention
For seniors, there’s always an increased risk of falling. With the aging process comes a reduced sense of balance and muscle loss. As a result, it’s harder to be steady getting out of chairs or even walking on a flat surface.
Assisted living centers should have built-in measures to help reduce the likelihood of falls in personal and public spaces. Grab bars, for instance, are assisted living community essentials.
Likewise, buildings should have non-slip flooring and handrails along hallway walls. Apartments and rooms should have walk-in showers.
Hallways should be wider to accommodate wheelchairs. They should be free of obstructions that could cause falls or tripping. Ideally, buildings will have elevators, too, to make accessing different spaces easier.
All spaces within a senior living community should have good lighting. For seniors with diminished vision, not being able to see well can trigger a fall. Call buttons conveniently placed on walls can let seniors notify staff if they fall.
Round-the-Clock Staffing
Assisted living communities should have staff available to help at all times of the day. That way, you won’t need to worry if a problem arises in the middle of the night. Staff will be available to respond.
Staff should undergo rigorous training sessions prior to starting work. Plus seasoned staff should undergo refresher training to learn the latest best practices. All staff should undergo background checks, too.
Staff should also be on the lookout for ways to make spaces safer throughout their shifts. This could entail moving tripping hazards or clearing walkways that may have become cluttered.
There should be staff specifically assigned to working security, too. These individuals should patrol the grounds to ensure that there’s no suspicious activity. They’ll monitor entrances and exits and provide a physical security presence.
Medication Oversight
When it comes to assisted living safety tips, medication management is critical. Most or all seniors will have regimented schedules to take medication. As such, the living community will need to have a system in place to control the administration of this medicine.
Staff should assist seniors with organizing medication into dispensers that are labeled by day or time. They should check in with them when they need help refilling a prescription. And staff should help make sure residents can access healthcare appointments.
Medication errors can lead to severe problems. But an orderly approach to storing and accessing medication can create a safer environment.
In-Room Monitoring
Senior living safety measures should include constant monitoring, as well. While seniors will spend part of their days in common areas where they’re visible, that’s not always the case.
Some seniors may have limited mobility and spend more time in their rooms. They may have physical issues, like back pain or swelling. Or they may deal with depression or anxiety, making in-room checks imperative.
A reputable senior living community will offer round-the-clock monitoring. They may install sensors in rooms or apartments, for instance. This can make tracking movements possible.
If a sensor alerts staff to a fall or a staff member notices minimal movement, they can check in on the resident. For especially vulnerable residents, monitoring is a critical component of assisted living security.
Staff should be available to monitor rooms overnight and during the day. This can give both seniors and family members peace of mind.
Emergency Response Protocol
Senior care safety standards include a clear and direct approach to emergency situations. Someone may face a health emergency in an assisted living setting. Staff should be trained to respond right away.
Intercom systems and phones should be accessible to enable quick communication with medical professionals. And staff should be trained to do CPR and other essential medical procedures while waiting for assistance.
Similarly, there should be a protocol in place for fires or weather hazards. Staff members should check sprinklers and fire alarms regularly to ensure they’re in working order. And there should be clearly marked and illuminated evacuation routes for residents to follow in case of a fire.
Buildings should be equipped with backup power systems. These can keep critical medical equipment functioning during power outages.
Residents should be able to notify staff of health emergencies easily. Bathrooms and sleeping spaces should have pull cords for residents to reach out during emergencies. And residents should have wearable alert pendants for an immediate form of communication if in distress.
Discover the Essential Safety Features in Assisted Living Communities
The right safety features in assisted living communities will offer peace of mind to residents and their families. Senior living communities should have trained staff at the helm to help residents with medication and respond to emergencies. They also should have secure entrances and features in the buildings, like grab bars, to keep residents safe.
At TerraBella Rock Hill, we offer exceptional caregiving services in a welcoming community for your loved one. Whether you need assisted living or memory care, we can help. Contact us today to learn more!
