What Safety Features should you look for in an Assisted Living Facility?

By Bob Gregory

Assisted Living Facilities are a great way to extend your independent living and still get the extra help you need with daily routines.   Whether you are considering Assisted Living Facility for your elderly parent or yourself, there are several safety features you will want the Facility that you choose to have in place.  Please don’t assume that all facilities have the same safety features as they may vary greatly from facility to facility.  However, there are certain safety features that all facilities must meet to pass the Fire Marshal’s inspection but even those may vary from State to State.  To be sure, you need to inquire and observe as you visit potential facilities.

Here is a list of safety features you may want to inquire and observe:

• Are the hallways and common areas equipped with hand rails?
• Are the floors in the rooms, hallways and common areas safe for walkers, wheelchairs and canes?
• Is there plenty of lighting both during the day and night?

  

  Blue Sign for Disabled Automatic Door
   (Photo credit: QuickLunarCop)

• Are the bathrooms equipped with matting, safety bars and signaling devices?
• Are seats for the shower provided or installed?
• Do the rooms/apartments have call devices for the resident to call for help?
• Are there loose rugs or mats in residents’ rooms or common areas that can cause slips and falls?
• Do doors automatically open for residents who use walkers or wheelchairs?
• Does the facility provide call devices for residents when they are not in their rooms and need help?
• Do the doors and windows have alarm/chirp devices to notify staff a resident has wondered out?
• Does the facility use security cameras to monitor exits, halls and common areas?

  

  Stair lift (Photo credit: dominiccampbell)

• Does the facility have onsite security guards or scheduled monitoring by local police?
• Are the parking lots well lit and easy to access?
• Are hot water heaters set at an adequate level to prevent scalding?
• Are residents required to use antibacterial lotion when attending dining or snack functions?
• Are their lifts on stairs for those who cannot navigate stairs?
• Does the facility have areas where the floor is at different levels requiring a step up or down?
• Are elevators monitored and do they have call features?
• Does the facility monitor rooms to make sure plugs are not over tasked with extension cords?
• Does the facility have a backup generator for power outages?
• Does the facility conduct regularly scheduled safety drills?
• Does the facility have a written emergency evacuation plan?

  

  Shower Seat
  (Photo credit: BigGreenYamo)

• Do caregivers have emergency call devices should they need assistance with a resident?
• If a resident leaves the premises, does the facility have a written policy for documenting when the resident left and when they will return?
• Does the facility provide a locking drawer or safe for valuables?
• Are visitors required to sign in and out?
• Are visitor badges required?

You should not only ask the questions but observe the features as well.  Have the person who conducts the tour point out the safety features and explain why they may or may not have some of the features listed above.  You will also want to observe residents who are confined to a wheelchair to see if they are left alone in common areas or is someone (caregiver or resident) with them at all times?  Take note of how well the staff seems to know the residents, as well as any visitors, that may be on premise during your tour.  Be sure to walk the entire facility and go in and out of each door to the outside.  Make sure the outdoor areas are secure by fencing or other structures to deter strangers from coming up to residents.  Finally, ask about the facilities safety record and ask if the police have been called to the facility for any reason within the last twelve months.  Don’t be discouraged if the facility you tour does not have every safety feature listed—some may have more and some may have less—just make sure they have the safety features you deem most important to you or your elderly parent.

If you find you need an Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com. 

           

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about. 

We look forward to reading yours.

Bob Gregory is an advocate for Seniors and is one of the founders of www.seniorfacilityfinder.com. At SeniorFacilityFinder.com, we are dedicated to helping families get the Elder Care help they need without having to provide their personal information! If find you need an assisted living facility or other type of senior facility, please consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com

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My elderly parent is physically disabled; will an Assisted Living Facility accommodate his needs?

By Bob Gregory,

Assisted Living Facilities are meant for those who are in need of some assistance with daily living, yet aim to live as independently as possible.  If your parent has been able to live independently with their disability but now needs some assistance, then an Assisted Living Facility may be a good way to extend their independence.   Physically disabled individuals who are not mentally impaired by their disability will certainly be more comfortable in a Senior Facility that has residents their age and possibly with similar disabilities.  Most Assisted Living Facilities are equipped to handle residents with physical disabilities as well as physical impairments that are often associated with aging.  Assisted Living Facilities have several advantages for someone with physical disabilities:

And they call this a walk in the park... (Photo credit: Ed Yourdon)

• They provide independence with assistance.
• They provide support and access to care 24-hours a day.
• They can arrange for on-going therapy and assure the resident receives the treatment.
• They are accustomed to providing assistance with meals, bathing, walking, eating and other daily activities, such as getting out of bed or moving from a chair to the bathroom.
• They often provide support groups with residents with similar physical disabilities

Not all Assisted Living Facilities provide the same services so you will need to do your research.  You will find most provide the services listed above but you will need to ask a few more questions to assure your parent’s particular physical disability can be accommodated.

Here are a few questions you need to ask:

1. Does the facility have residents with the same physical disability as your parent?  This will be a good indication that they have experience in handling individuals with your parent’s disability.
2. Does the facility have staff with training or certification in dealing with the type of physical disability as your parent?  Keep in mind that the actual medical staff in an Assisted Living Facility is limited but some do have specialist on staff.  Do not be discouraged if they do not have a specialist on staff as there may be other factors that compensate.
3. Does the facility have staff that coordinates home care visits from a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist or other professional care provider your parent may require?
4. Does the facility offer transportation services for office visits to a physical therapist, occupational therapist or other professional care provider?  Most facilities do offer transportation but be
    sure your parent’s regularly scheduled appointments are not an issue to be included in the normal transportation schedule of the facility.

   

   I am blind, but I can see (Photo credit: Ed Yourdon)

5. Does the facility have support groups or guest counselors available for your parent’s type of physical disability?  Support groups are great and if the facility does not have one, offer to help create one or ask if the facility would start a group.  You will find the facility more likely to help out if they have other residents with the same disability.
6. Ask about the social activities that are available for residents with the type of physical disability as your parent.  It is important that your parent does not feel isolated because of their disability and they stay engaged and socialize!
7. Ask if the facility will provide special equipment needed or if that will be your responsibility.  You will most likely be responsible for special equipment but it doesn’t hurt to ask.  You may also find that the facility can help find used equipment at a good price.
8. Ask about additional charges due to special services your parent may require.  Most Assisted Living Facilities are not a “one size fits all” and you may find there will be additional charges for services that are not covered in the standard fee. 

These questions should help you determine whether the Assisted Living Facility you interview will be a good residence for your parent and help extend their independence.  If you find they have residents with similar physical disabilities, ask to speak with the resident and their family for a referral.  Most facilities will be happy to have you do this as they try to provide the highest level of service possible.  Keep in mind that not all Assisted Living Facilities provide the same level of service so you need to make sure they are equipped to handle your parent. Also, consult your parent’s physician and therapist for recommendations as most have relationships with Assisted Living Facilities.  Finally, dealing with physical disabilities is different than mental disabilities so be honest with the facility whether your parent suffers from any mental disabilities due to the physical disability.  It will save a lot of heartache in the future!

If you find you need an Assisted Living Facility, Nursing Home or any other type of Senior Facility, I hope you will consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com. 

           

If you would like to contribute your thoughts and ideas, please leave them in our comment section. We want to hear them. Helping people care for themselves or their loved ones is what we care about. 

We look forward to reading yours.

Bob Gregory is an advocate for Seniors and is one of the founders of www.seniorfacilityfinder.com. At SeniorFacilityFinder.com, we are dedicated to helping families get the Elder Care help they need without having to provide their personal information! If find you need an assisted living facility or other type of senior facility, please consider www.seniorfacilityfinder.com

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