Senior living facilities aren’t just designed to keep our older family members comfortable; they’re designed to keep them safe, as well. That’s something we feel passionately about at Salient Networks, which is why we provide so many local senior living communities with a full spectrum of environmental awareness and wander management technologies.
But technology alone won’t keep seniors safe and secure; indeed, there are a number of potential hazards that are present in senior assisted living facilities, and the first step toward ensuring safety is to take a thorough inventory of them.
Here are just a few of the common hazards that can compromise safety in assisted living facilities.
Common Obstacles to Assisted Living Safety
- The lack of safety alert technology.
These days, there’s no reason why a resident in any senior care assisted living community should slip, fall, or experience any other kind of accident and not have a way to call for help. Safety alert systems make it easy for residents to call a staff member for assistance in any situation—making the absence of these systems a major concern.
- Bad lighting.
Another common obstacle to assisted living safety? Poor lighting. The most common form of injury in senior assisted living facilities is falls, and those falls often happen due to a lack of proper illumination.
- Obstructed walkways.
Again, falls are incredibly common, and they can result in significant physical damage. Obstructed walkways often result in falls and are especially hazardous to residents who use canes or walkers to get around. Something as simple as uneven flooring or a bump in the carpet can cause seniors to fall, so keeping walkways clear is a top priority.
- The wrong kind of furniture.
In particular, take note of chairs without armrests. It’s all too easy for some seniors—especially those with balance issues or with frailer physical frames—to tumble out of armless chairs and injure themselves.
- Inadequate handrails.
There should always be sufficient handrails for stairs and ramps, but the biggest place for concern is in the bathroom. Adequate handrails are vital for ensuring that residents don’t slip and fall.
- Lack of wander management technology.
We mentioned wander management above, but it’s worth digging into it here, as it’s a major safety concern in any senior care assisted living center. Wandering is a big deal among those with dementia, who can sometimes become disoriented and wander away looking for home—even if home is where they started from. In some cases, this can lead to residents leaving the facility altogether and potentially coming to harm. The proper wander management technology keeps everyone where they are supposed to be and minimizes the risk of injury.
- Improper management of medication.
It’s all too easy to get medications mixed up, and senior living homes see a tragically high number of overdose cases. Implementing a strategic medication management system is paramount.
- Infections.
It’s impossible to totally eliminate infections, but some basic sanitary procedures—including regular hand washing and quarantining those who are seriously ill—can keep infections to a minimum.
Learn More About Keeping Assisted Living Residents Safe and Secure
At Salient Networks, it is our honor to serve senior living communities, and to provide wander management solutions as well as emergency call systems.
Why choose us for your assisted living safety needs? In short, because we know the risks but also know how technology can mitigate them—ensuring residents are as secure as can be.
Learn more about how technology can keep assisted living violations to a minimum. Contact Salient Networks today.