How Senior Communities Provide Safety

How Senior Communities Provide Safety

No matter how much we love our elders, the risks that come with their age can sometimes be overwhelming to handle. Everything is a matter of concern, from the risk of falls and slips to taking the wrong medication. According to theCDC, the emergency department reported 3 million older patients with injuries and 34,000 deaths in 2019 due to falls.

 

Out of 3 million, 800,000 patients had head injuries or hip fractures. Death by poisoning accounts for 50% of the deaths and was the leading cause, followed by falls which accounted for 25% of the total casualties in people over 65 years of age. These statistics increase every year at the rate of 4.9%. This data is frightening, but we can control certain risks with proper care, support, and understanding. Keep reading to understand the risks involved in the day-to-day life of seniors and how assisted living communities can help mitigate these.


Understanding Common Senior Safety Risks


Even though we try to offer the safest environments for our elders, there are still several hazards and safety risks at home. Some common ones are as follows:


Falls


By and large, falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in senior citizens. Many of these falls occur in the house and impact their physical abilities. Falls can happen mainly due to lower strength and focus, vision impairment, surgical factors, environmental hazards, etc. Falls and slips can seriously impact the quality of their life and might potentially cause permanent mobility issues. Read more about why seniors fall and how you can helphere.


Poisoning


Poisoning is the leading cause of casualties among elders in the USA. Medications play a significant role in the poisoning statistics of seniors, and most of them are accidental. Some reasons include:

 

●      Storing medication improperly

●      Having extra dosage due to forgetfulness

●      Missing prescribed dosage

●      Taking wrong medicines due to memory issues

●      Ignoring the side effects of certain drugs

 

Apart from drug poisoning, food poisoning can also cause severe complications to their health. The immune system gets weak with age, due to which they get sick and are not able to recover easily.


Fires


Another safety risk for our elders at home is fire. The risk is higher for visually impaired seniors, those hard of hearing, or those having issues with mobility. That means the safety risk of fire for elders is much greater than for the country's general population. Moreover, a fall or burn due to a fire can be devastating. Seniors usually have thin skin that can quickly catch fire and can be challenging to heal. Common accidental fire factors include cooking, smoking, heaters, fireplaces, and electrical systems.


Elderly Abuse


Our elders are susceptible to the same abuse and crimes that the general population of the country experiences, if not more. It includes physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse. The deeper issue with such crimes and abuse with seniors is that they are less likely to recover from victimization. According to theNCVRW Resource Guide, approximately 7 out of 1,000 violent victimizations were against women aged 65 and above. Whereas 3 out of 1,000 were men of the same age. Burglary, scammers, stealing, and fraud are common causes of such victimization.

 

That said, planning a safe and healthy future for your loved elders is vital for them to lead a happy life. If you are looking for a safe living option for them, senior communities or assisted living communities can be the best option.


How Senior Living Communities Can Offer Better Safety


Assisted living communities for seniors have professionals that can take care of elders in the best possible way. They are compassionate about their work and quickly respond to elders' needs. Here are the ways senior living communities ensure the safety of the seniors:


Ergonomically Designed Living Place


Ergonomics and aesthetics are two significant factors in designing assisted living places. This ensures the seniors have a safe and accessible home to live in. The best assisted living community will take care of the following safety measures for senior members.

 

●    Floors: To ensure safety, the assisted living houses will have anti-slip flooring typically made using rubber, cork, linoleum, etc. These materials have good grip and can significantly resist falls due to slipping.

●    Wall Support: Having wall support is one of the essential elements that can prevent falls. Assisted living houses have supported grab rails or handrails in every area, such as the staircase, bathroom, kitchen, living, and bedrooms.

●    Lighting: A well-lighted living space can help prevent slipping. Assisted living spaces have well-illuminated floors, bathrooms, kitchens, gardens, and staircases to offer a safer environment for seniors.

●    Accessibility: Whether your loved ones need electric controlled wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks, raised toilets, or a private handicap accessible shower, assisted living will ensure they are all provided and not compromised upon.

●    Tools: Another essential aspect that the senior living community takes care of is offering tools for safety. They provide advanced alarm systems, intercoms, high-speed internet, emergency lockers, and other required devices for protection.


Professionally Trained Staff


Assisted living communities have professionally trained staff who care for everything your elders need. These professionals ensure that the residents get proper healthcare, housekeeping, and a healthy environment. They create a dynamic living experience for their guests. To ensure the safety of seniors, they also help with:


●      Healthy and timely meals

●      Linen and laundry service

●      Daily fitness exercises

●      Day and shopping trips

●      Personal grooming

●      Timely medication

●      Wellness checks

●      Repairs and maintenance

●      Doctor's appointments

●      Emergency services

●      Specialized care

 

In a true sense, having professional staff helps with safety and empowers seniors to live independently in their golden years.


24/7 Security Service


Having 24/7 security is one of the most critical services in an assisted living community. The senior communities have security guards at the point of entrance to screen each visitor or relative to follow the safety protocols. Visitors are required to furnish all their details before entering, or the seniors can come out to visit them.

 

Senior communities also install CCTV cameras across the property to watch the seniors and help investigate crimes in the community, if any. Security guards do not only protect the property but help with protecting people as well. They also help with:

 

●      Preventing crimes

●      Identifying unusual civilian behaviors

●      Keeping unwanted visitors out

●      Helping with an emergency

●      Handling security issues

●      Creating a safe living environment

●      Maintaining disciple and order

●      Reducing the stress on residents

●      Avoiding residents from wandering off

●      Reducing the risk of theft and vandalism

 

In addition, security guards can also handle emergencies like fires, falls, or any other medical emergency. Residents can reach out to them through the intercom for any trouble, ensuring safety and peace of mind.

 

Access to Medical Assistance


According to theAARP, chronic conditions among older Americans are rising. More than 70 million people aged 70 and above have at least one chronic illness that includes arthritis, cancer, depression, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes. Such conditions put seniors at significant risk and can cause dangerous consequences. People with chronic conditions find it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as lifting objects, bathing, eating, etc. They need regular access to medical assistance to manage their symptoms and prevent further condition development.

 

Assisted living communities try to offer around-the-clock medical assistance to their residents. Quality and on-time healthcare services ensure the overall well-being of your loved ones, including physical, mental, and emotional. Whether your elders need emergency or therapeutic services, assisted living offers comprehensive attention to their unique medical needs. Many people seek complete care for seniors with dementia or other cognitive impairment. Assisted living communities and memory care centers help seniors with dedication and improve their quality of life.


A Comfortable and Stress-Free Lifestyle


Sending seniors to assisted living communities can need be a hard decision. However, when the community offers convenient and required assistance to your loved ones, you get assured of quality service. Assisted living community experts know what kind of activities can be dangerous to seniors, and they help avoid them. For example, cooking may not be the best option for some seniors with motor issues, so assisted living communities offer healthy snacks and meals without cooking.

Also, things like housekeeping and laundry might increase their chances of tripping and falling. So, the community takes care of all the everyday activities that they might have to do otherwise. In addition, regular wellness checks ensure the health of the residents is monitored and treated on time. These communities do everything to make life comfortable and stress-free for your elders.

 

If you have a senior citizen at home struggling to cope with their day-to-day life on their own, then it would be wise to opt for an assisted living facility.


Conclusion


At Brookfield Assisted Living, our goal is to offer your loved ones a high-quality and secure living experience. Residents at Brookfield Assisted Living enjoy their life comfortably with peace of mind. Please visitour website today for more information about our exclusive services and amenities.