6 Key Security Features for Assisted Community Living
When you're looking for quality senior housing, safety should be your top priority. After all, a secure living space translates to peace of mind. From daily encounters to emergency situations, each day presents reasons to be prepared.
Read on to learn about the six key security features to look for in assisted community living!
1. Entrance Access Control
While community living for seniors is all about connecting, there should be restrictions on who is allowed in the living space. Consequently, you'll want to choose a living community where access control systems are in place to secure entrances.
Residents should have key cards or fobs to gain entrance to their apartments and common spaces. Likewise, staff should have access cards and IDs. And they should be wearing badges at all times.
Residents should have access to the building, but there should be restricted portions accessible only by a staff member. These may be areas where medical aid is administered, for instance.
Look for fences and other defined boundaries around the perimeter of the property, too. These features are critical to keep out intruders, but they also help ensure residents don't go beyond the grounds. Fences and other entrance points should be equipped with alarms that sound if someone wanders out.
Intercoms can be a helpful addition to entrance points, as well. When friends or family come to visit, for example, they'll be able to call into the building.
2. Surveillance Cameras
Cameras that provide views of interior and exterior spaces should be part of senior living security. High-resolution cameras can capture details day or night. They'll also be a visual presence that could help deter individuals with bad motives.
Surveillance cameras should be mounted inside the building as well as on the exterior. Hallways, shared spaces, and individual rooms are all prime locations inside buildings. Surveillance cameras can serve as a form of quality control, too, in monitoring staff as they complete their daily responsibilities.
And on the exterior, cameras should cover all entrances, parking lots, and outdoor spaces. Gardens and outdoor seating areas that may be obscured by foliage should have cameras mounted nearby or overhead.
Sophisticated cameras can detect motion at night or in infrequently visited areas of a property. Many camera systems also can be operated remotely, too, to give staff flexibility as they conduct security checks throughout the day.
It's fair to ask a potential senior living community if they have cameras and where they are located. Steer clear of places that don't have several cameras staggered around the property.
Ideally, surveillance cameras won't be an integral part of a senior community living experience. But their presence can provide comfort and help keep residents secure. Cameras can alert staff to suspicious situations or provide evidence as needed.
3. Room Monitoring
One of the key benefits of assisted living is the assurance that comes from knowing a senior can get help whenever they need it. Regular check-ins from trained staff can contribute to assisted living safety. Staff should be available at all hours of the day to help seniors who may struggle with anything from getting out of bed to going to the bathroom.
Some communities will have sensors placed in rooms or apartments. These can track movement within the room. That way, it will be easier to determine if someone needs help or, worse yet, has fallen.
Seniors are more prone to falling or facing other physical challenges. Room monitoring and in-person checks are the best way to help seniors feel and stay secure.
4. Security Guards
Retirement community security also should include trained guards. These are individuals whose job it is to stay on top of security monitoring at all hours of the day.
Security guards will monitor entrances and exits. They'll also be providing a secure physical presence for residents. And they'll look over video systems that survey the community grounds.
Security guards should have an established daily routine where they conduct checks. They may check with specific residents or patrol the grounds. They should have the training to respond swiftly to uninvited guests.
Further, good senior living communities will have other safeguards, like smoke detectors and sprinklers. Together these safety measures can help give more vulnerable seniors a better sense of security.
5. A Well-Designed Building
Safe senior housing relies on sound design. For starters, buildings should have ramps and sturdy handrails to make entering and exiting easier. Even for mobile seniors, the knowledge that ramps are present in case of future mobility concerns can offer peace of mind.
Building interiors should have adequate lighting. For individuals with impaired vision, this is essential. Hallways, common areas, and apartments should have grab bars and call buttons for convenient sources of help.
Other amenities like elevators, non-slip floors, and walk-in showers can foster a safer environment. Similarly, hallways and rooms should have intercoms to enable faster communication.
Every hallway should have instructions for accessing evacuation routes. If there's a fire, clear markings should direct residents toward pathways and exits. And those hallways should be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and two-way foot traffic.
6. Emergency Response Protocol
Finally, choose a senior living community that's equipped to handle emergencies. Staff should have CPR training and know other forms of first aid. They should conduct regular checks on safety mechanisms to make sure they are functional.
Additionally, make sure that the community is located close to more extensive medical care. Ask about drive times to local hospitals to ensure that prompt attention during medical emergencies is possible.
There should be a favorable staff-resident ratio, as well. Be sure to ask about this and training procedures during an assisted living community tour. Direct-care staff should be able to articulate their skill sets and procedures to handle emergency situations.
Choose the Right Assisted Community Living
Quality assisted community living can create a safe and secure home for seniors. Senior communities should have secure entrances and gated perimeters. Trained staff and guards should be monitoring spaces at all hours and have the training to respond to emergencies.
At Lakehouse Cedarburg, we provide care and community to our residents. Choose from several spacious floorplans and an extensive list of activities to create an enriching living experience. Contact us today to learn more!