Promising Peace of Mind: Safety and Security in Senior Living Communities

As we age, the assurance of a safe and secure home environment takes precedence. Changing healthcare needs, limitations in mobility, social isolation, and the many risks associated with aging can impact a senior’s well-being and independence and their ability and desire to live safely at home. This dynamic can lead to a life of avoidance, hesitance, and apprehension rather than an active, fulfilling retirement.

Fortunately, there’s an effective solution: senior living communities. How do they promote increased independence and cultivate peace of mind for adults who are aging? Read on to learn more about the safety and security measures built into their unique environments and why you’ll value them.

Safety begins at the front door.

Welcome to a world of exclusivity and extra protection – thanks to gated entrances. A receptionist greets every resident and their guests, verifying that only authorized individuals are allowed into the buildings. This elegant touch and added barrier act as a first line of defense in security measures.

They create additional secure entry systems.

Look for more key-controlled access areas in the building interiors. With secured residential buildings and designated areas, communities further limit entry and risky situations, and provide residents with the peace of mind that no intruders will cross into private living spaces.

Trust the guards on the grounds.

A good senior living community in your area will employ some type of trained security personnel. They should patrol the grounds and buildings, and respond to any potential threats, breaches, or emergencies that arise, to ensure a secure environment.

Your home will have a personal emergency call system.

Need fast assistance in a personal emergency? That’s another safety feature available in your new home. You’ll likely be provided with a wireless pendant button and/or a wall-mounted button or a pull cord, enabling you to easily access and activate help during a fall, an accident, a medical emergency, or another urgent situation.

Security cameras keep a watchful eye.

Security personnel are equipped with video surveillance, often located outside, at entrance and exit points, in common areas, and around other strategic locations. They work by deterring intruders and criminal activities, monitoring on-property risks such as lighting issues or hiding spots, and recording any incidents. Staff can spot the situation at hand, and then respond accordingly.

They’re well prepared to handle emergencies.

In senior living communities, trained staff are well-versed in handling a wide variety of problems effectively – including fires, natural disasters, severe weather, power outages, and medical outbreaks and crises. They follow emergency preparedness plans that direct how to quickly coordinate and respond to these situations.

Among the protocols should be evacuation routes, emergency shelters, and alarm and communication systems. They should also feature ways to provide extra assistance to residents with disabilities and accommodate the hearing and vision impaired with visual and audible alerts. Staff members conduct regular fire and emergency drills and training sessions so that both staff and residents can remember these life-saving routines.

Take special comfort in knowing they prioritize fire safety.

Senior living communities do their best to prevent fires at all times, an effort that’s further supported by dining services because residents don’t have to cook daily meals and risk additional fire hazards in their homes. Smoke and fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems should be incorporated into safety protocols in every community, in addition to the measures noted above.

Your home can remain a true sanctuary.

Perhaps your home, which was once your haven, now impedes your movement, making you prone to several hazards. A senior community, however, would enhance your dynamic lifestyle by providing mobility support and helping to prevent falls and other accidents. Look for features like:

• An opportunity for single-floor, stair-free living and/or ramps and elevators.

• Brightly lit homes, common spaces, hallways, pathways, parking areas, and building exteriors.

• Wide doorways, hallways, and pathways that are clear of all obstacles.

• Easy-to-grip handrails, grab bars, and door handles throughout the property.

• Slip-resistant, smooth flooring materials.

• Safer bathrooms, featuring raised toilets, non-skid surfaces, built-in grab bars, barrier-free showers/tubs, and accessible storage.

Why spend the money, time, energy, and frustration on renovating your current home for continuing accessibility? Consider moving right into a community with accommodations for your safety needs today and well into the future.

People look out for each other – and you.

The biggest benefit of moving into a senior living community is…the “community!” Seniors and their loved ones appreciate the friendly feel of community living and, the warm welcome shared by new neighbors. Along with the daily socialization that’s vital to overall wellness, residents enjoy the benefit of friends and neighbors who look out for each other, who recognize when something’s amiss, and can seek staff support when needed.

The best elder care facilities employ a dedicated team residents can trust. Staff members should undergo thorough background checks, and once cleared and hired, ongoing safety and security training that prepares them to handle several different, difficult situations successfully. They also conduct regular wellness checks to ensure residents are okay and to identify and resolve any concerns.

Trade burdensome chores and responsibilities for daily support, services, and amenities.

Depending on the community and level of care you choose, staff will provide a variety of services and amenities that save you from discomfort and hazards – and preserve your health and wellness. They may include:

• The 24/7 availability of attentive, expert staff.

• Home maintenance, landscaping maintenance, housekeeping, laundry, and linen services.

• Dining plans with chef-prepared meals and staff members who serve and clean up.

• Activities and events that are planned and coordinated for you.

• Supervised gym, group fitness classes, and wellness programs.

• An onsite salon and barbershop for easy access to regular services.

• The option of chauffeured transportation to/from offsite appointments and outings.

• A team of staff focused on residents’ health and wellness.

• Access to onsite and/or offsite physicians, nurses, and medical professionals.

If you decide on an independent living community, you’ll have the privacy you desire with access to help when you require it.

Assisted living and memory care community residents receive closer supervision and onsite, assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, personal care, and continence care. Escorts to and from programs and appointments are available, along with transportation to medical appointments. A medication management system guarantees residents take their prescriptions and treatments correctly and on schedule, avoiding dangerous medication mix-ups.

Those who become forgetful or confused – especially those living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or another form of memory loss[MS8] – can benefit from specialized care and additional safety measures, such as a wander protection system, medication storage, secured indoor and outdoor spaces, and 24/7 staffing to attend to resident needs and monitor exits.

Depend on a protective senior living community.

Consider a move to a community where a skilled, attentive team can continuously care for your total well-being. Cardinal Bay’s independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities in Texas and Oklahoma feature a relationship-centered environment and stimulating activities, leading to a healthier, more fulfilling resident experience.

Schedule a complimentary visit to see how you can thrive. Learn more by reading Cardinal Bay’s free, valuable resources, which are dedicated to the seniors and their caregivers navigating this next chapter. Subscribe to our blog, plus access our eBook, Your Elementary Guide to Senior Living and Care Options in Texas and Oklahoma. Get your copy now!