When you have a family member who suffers from dementia, you need to be selective about the care home that you arrange for him or her. There are a variety of attributes that you'll assess when comparing care homes, including the number of staff, the on-site amenities, and even the cleanliness of the facility. You also need to think about security — the last thing you want is for your loved one to wander out of the care facility and get lost or worse. When you visit different care homes, don't hesitate to have a staff member outline the various security measures that are present. Here are three that you should expect to see.
Controlled Exterior Access
One of the most important ways that a care facility can be kept secure for the safety of its residents is for exterior access to be controlled. You need to be sure that each of the building's exterior doors is kept locked from the inside. Typically, such doors will be able to be controlled by a keypad or swipe card system so that staff members can control access through the doors. This prevents residents from simply opening a door and walking outside and away from the facility.
Patient Monitors
At many care facilities that specialize in looking after patients with dementia and other similar issues, patients can be outfitted with monitors. Sometimes called "wander alarms," these monitors are designed to keep patients within a certain distance from a central hub within the care facility. The resident will wear the monitor on his or her body, and it will sound an alarm as soon as he or she gets too far away from a designated area, such as his or her room. For the family of a patient, this feature is desirable because it keeps their loved one close to the caregivers.
Physical Deterrents
Many care facilities will also make use of a variety of physical deterrents to keep patients contained with a certain part of the building. While locked doors and patient monitors are valuable, the standard approach of barriers can be equally effective at preventing your loved one from wandering. For example, the care facility may use retractable gates and other similar devices to limit access to other areas of the building — in many cases, these devices are reminiscent of large baby gates that you might be familiar with if you have children.
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Share30 August 2017
Recently, my mom took my grandmother to her physician for a regular check-up. During this visit, the doctor discovered my grandmother had a cracked bone in her foot. Due to my grandmother’s dementia, she didn’t know if she had fallen or dropped something on her foot. My family and I decided my grandmother shouldn’t live on her own anymore. Do you desperately desire to protect an elderly loved one from harm? If he or she is currently living alone, consider placing your loved one in a nursing home or an assisted living facility. By making this move, you won’t have to worry anymore about the possibility of your relative falling with no one to help him or her. On this blog, I hope you will discover the numerous benefits of moving a senior loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility. Enjoy!