How Senior Living Communities Can Help Provide Safety

It makes no difference in how old you are or how healthy you are; life is full of threats. Anyone who might be injured when partaking in physical sports and even well-known “safe” settings can be exposed to criminality.

Despite everyday concerns like these, seniors who live in a senior community can have a safe home. The safety standards at old homes tend to go above and beyond to protect the safety of the residents, as this is a primary priority at these facilities.

A senior community lifestyle can bring peace of mind for adult children of seniors who are concerned about their parent’s safety when living alone. Here are some elderly safety concerns to be aware of and how Senior Living facilities protect seniors from them.

Seniors’ Safety Concerns

According to the National Safety Council’s most recent research, there were an estimated 131,400 preventable injury-related deaths in homes and communities in 2019. That’s a 4.9 percent increase from the previous year. Poisoning is the most common cause of death in homes and communities (50 percent), followed by falls (29 percent).

Compared to younger persons, seniors aged 65 and up are more likely to fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States:

• Every year, more than one in every four elderly persons dies.
• Once you’ve fallen, you’re twice as likely to fall again.
• From 2007 to 2016, the number of older Americans dying in the fall climbed by 30% in the United States.

If a senior living alone falls, they may not be able to get the aid they require if they are unable to get up and reach a phone to call for assistance. Falls can sometimes render people unconscious, posing additional risks.

When elders take the wrong drug or the improper dosage, they might become poisoned. Poisoning can also occur when a product is misused by accident.

Drowning, choking, fire and smoke, and mechanical suffocation are among threats at home. Seniors who are alone and face one of these dangers may not be able to seek the support they require promptly.

Seniors and Related Crime

It’s also crucial for adult children of seniors to be aware of the dangers that seniors confront in terms of criminality. According to the 2018 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Resource Guide: Crime and Victimization Fact Sheets, older persons are frequently sought out as crime victims. They are also less likely to recover from victimization. According to the survey, only 45 percent of violent crimes against elders were reported to the police.

Seniors living alone may be vulnerable to crimes such as burglary or scammers knocking on their doors requesting financial information in exchange for a fraudulent product or service. Adult children may feel more at ease when their senior parents or parents live in a community where safety protections exist, especially when there are safety dangers at home.

How Senior Housing Communities Help Seniors Stay Safe?

Residents’ safety is a top priority in senior communities. Here’s how Senior Living communities protect elders, from in-home safety features to supporting personnel.

Seniors’ Safety at Home

Senior communities are built with the needs of the elderly in mind. Consider single-story living, large doorways and hallways, and fewer steps to get in, out, and around a property.

While each community has its design, you can find senior communities that include elements such as:

• Bathtubs, showers, and toilets have grip bars on the inside and exterior.
• Raised toilets with no trip hazards or objects that could be bumped against
• Bright lights and windows illuminate paths.
• Flooring that is not slick
• Pools and spas have safety latches installed.
• Wheelchair-accessible electric controls

Intercom access and emergency call systems may be available in senior residences, allowing residents to communicate directly with care workers. Staff may also conduct wellness checks regularly.

There are senior care choices with support for dressing, bathing, and moving to prevent accidents and falls for seniors with more advanced care needs.

Community Safety for seniors

Before a guest may get to a residence, many senior communities will have security guards and a gated primary entry point. Instead of being allowed to go straight to someone’s house, a visitor may be required to sign in at a front desk or have the senior come out to see them.

Security cameras are generally installed throughout senior communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These can help deter crime and make investigations easier.

Sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers are installed throughout senior communities and disaster and fire safety procedures. Residents are protected by staff who have been trained to protect them in the event of an emergency.

Professional personnel on hand in a senior community safeguards residents against difficulties such as wandering. Other security measures, such as private outdoor spaces and secure doors, will be in place in some elder care facilities, especially for memory care residents.

Less Risk, More Convenience

Another method senior communities keep seniors safe is by creating designs that make it easier for them to live a convenient, stress-free lifestyle. Dining room meals, for example, are available in some communities. Because even simple tasks such as cooking might be hazardous, seniors and their loved ones may seek out communities like these where they can readily obtain food without having to cook.

Other senior communities provide housekeeping and transportation. Stumbling and falling are reduced when you don’t have to do chores. Seniors who receive vehicles are relieved of the need to drive and risk their lives on the road.

Some senior communities also include on-site wellness clinics to assist elders in staying healthy. Health care specialists may be on-site, 24 hours a day, to treat residents in senior homes with more advanced care needs.

Find a Senior Living Community to Ensure Your Loved One’s Safety

If you have a senior parent or parents and are concerned about their safety while living alone, a Senior Living community may be a good option. Many senior living communities cater to healthy, active seniors while also providing safety procedures to protect loved ones from harm.

Learn more about Senior Living communities in your area.