Assisted living communities are an excellent option for aging family members who need help with daily activities but still want to maintain independence. Assisted living in Vicksburg, MS, provide a wide range of services, including housekeeping, meals, transportation, and social activities. However, many people often overlook safety and security when choosing an assisted living community.
You want to know that your loved one is safe and well-protected, both physically and emotionally. But how do you know if the facility where they live meets those needs? Here are some tips for assessing safety and security at an assisted living community before making your final decision:
Admin and Resources
Admin and resources are the most important aspects when assessing a senior living community. The core of any residential care community should be its management team, who will oversee the facility’s operations daily.
Directors have many responsibilities in their retirement communities, including running routine meetings, ensuring employee training, and maintaining budgets. When looking at an assisted living community, think about whether they have a clear chain of command or are plagued by poor communication between staff members or departments.
Program Delivery and Quality Improvement
How does the community’s program meet your loved one’s needs and preferences? How much freedom do they have to decide what activities to participate in daily? Does the community offer any support groups or educational programs that could be of interest to your loved one?
What is the level of care provided in the community? How many team members are there per resident? Does this ratio change throughout the day or week, depending on how many residents need help with certain activities versus being able to complete those activities independently?
The ideal number varies per facility. However, at most, it should always be a 2:1 ratio of team members to residents at any given time because this would leave little time for personal attention.
Emergency Procedures/Drills
Knowing how often emergency drills are performed in your assisted living community is essential. The lessons’ frequency should align with the facility’s size and population.
Drills are an opportunity for caregivers to identify areas that need improvement. For instance, suppose they notice a resident didn’t receive the proper response from staff or was left behind during an evacuation drill. The leadership team can then make adjustments accordingly.
Medication Administration and Health Services
Making sure your loved one receives their prescriptions safely and effectively is an integral part of their care. Medication administration should be done safely and securely by trained teams. Caregivers should also have the training to recognize adverse reactions to medications and signs of dehydration or malnutrition.
Staff Training
Team training is one of the most critical aspects of ensuring that your loved one is safe and secure. All caregivers should be trained in CPR, first aid, and other emergency procedures. They should also be trained to administer medication properly.
In addition to these general safety measures, community-specific training is necessary for employees who deal with residents regularly. For example, meal servers at an assisted living community may need training in proper food handling techniques.
Conclusion
Assessing a community’s safety and security is an essential part of your decision-making process. The best way to ensure your loved one is safe and well taken care of is by choosing a senior-friendly independent living community that has been independently audited, inspected, and accredited.
