If you're choosing a senior living facility for yourself or a loved one, naturally, you want to find somewhere in a great location, with diverse enriching activities and expert healthcare. But, you also need to consider safety. Good senior living facilities will always put safety first.
So, what are some of the key safety features in assisted living communities that you should expect to see? This article highlights seven of the most crucial elder care safety standards.
Lighting is a key part of safety anywhere, but it's particularly important when it comes to retirement home features. A good retirement home has bright, motion-activated lighting in risky areas like apartment entrances, stairs, and any other place a resident could trip and fall.
Of course, state-of-the-art motion sensors don't mean much when lightbulbs are burned out. Any retirement community that takes senior community safety seriously will do constant checks to ensure lighting is functioning correctly.
They'll replace any burned-out bulbs, but they'll also create redundant systems, where a single bulb going out isn't enough to create an unsafe situation.
Retirement communities also tend to use brighter bulbs than average. As we age, our eyes get less sensitive to light. Some older residents may suffer from night blindness. You won't see low-wattage bulbs in a community that takes resident safety seriously.
All buildings need to have smoke detectors to keep up with safety standards, but senior living facilities need to go the extra mile. After all, residents in these communities are much less mobile than the average, so they need as much time as possible to evacuate in a fire.
Smoke detectors in a retirement community should use a linked alarm system, meaning if one smoke alarm goes off, the rest of the alarms go off simultaneously. The alarms should be checked frequently to ensure they're operating perfectly.
Some residents may have poor hearing, according to the National Deaf Center; alarms should also provide visual warnings like flashing lights. Staff should be aware of residents who have special needs so that in the event of an emergency, they can help them get to safety.
In a fire, timely warnings and detailed evacuation plans are crucial, but that's not enough to ensure the safety of all residents. To make a senior living community fireproof, there should also be comprehensive sprinkler coverage.
With fast-working sprinklers in every room, it's likely a fire will be extinguished and contained automatically. You'll still need to evacuate everyone until the local fire department gives the old clear, but a well-functioning sprinkler system with wide coverage ensures there's little danger to residents and staff.
If you take a look around any retirement community that takes safety seriously, you'll notice comprehensive sprinkler coverage. Whether you're in a common area or a private apartment, you should see at least one sprinkler on every ceiling.
Again, responsible management means testing these systems as often as possible. According to the Fire Protection Association, this should be at least once a year.
Attractive and functional outdoor spaces are a key part of a senior living community. When these spaces are well-designed, they encourage physical activity, improve mental well-being, and encourage social interaction.
Effectively designed outdoor spaces for seniors achieve all these things without compromising on safety. Walkways and ramps need to be free of any potential hazards. This requires meticulous maintenance, but also effective design.
For example, landscaping features shouldn't be placed too close to walkways, as plants could grow and create obstructions. Outdoor areas also need to be properly fenced and gated.
A good retirement community is one that allows residents to maintain their independence. Many seniors are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves; they just need to have immediate assistance available in case of an emergency. That's why reliable call bells are a vital part of effective assisted living security.
These bells must be located in areas that are easy to access, and staff must be well-trained to respond instantly. There should always be someone responsible for answering these calls 24/7.
Of course, safe retirement communities know call bells are not a replacement for wellness checks. In some emergencies, it's possible a resident wouldn't be able to reach a bell, so there should always be someone checking up on residents.
Most seniors are well acquainted with their doctor. Even those who are in good health will still have frequent medical appointments. Without a driving license, seniors depend on the retirement community to get them to and from the doctor's office or hospital.
There should be reliable transport available, and vehicles should be accessible and appropriate for seniors with mobility issues. A good senior living community won't just hire any driver; they need to be well-trained in elder care, ensuring safe travel at all times.
Ensuring safety is all about intelligent design, but you can't just build a safe community and leave it at that. A consistently safe environment requires consistent checks and maintenance. That's why retirement communities are always checking for potential hazards like loose flooring or blown-out lightbulbs.
Ensuring safety is a continuous process, and the best retirement homes are always upgrading apartments and common areas with the latest safety innovations like non-slip flooring and motion sensors.
If there is an accident in the community, there'll be a detailed investigation into what happened and modifications will be made accordingly.
Finding the right senior living community involves more than just finding a great location and engaging in activities; it's about ensuring that the community prioritizes safety at every level. From well-designed lighting and reliable fire safety systems to regular maintenance and thoughtful outdoor spaces, these safety features in assisted living communities create a secure environment for residents.
By choosing a community that values continuous safety improvements, you can ensure peace of mind for yourself or your loved one.
Are you looking for a community that takes safety seriously in Lehigh Acres, FL? Here at Lehigh Acres Assisted Living, we offer a safe, welcoming environment on the stunning Florida coastline. Contact us today and schedule a visit to our tranquil assisted living community.