Senior Living Safety and Security Precautions

Senior Living facilities are receiving a lot of attention these days. And rightfully so! There is a need for specialized security and access control systems to protect loved ones in assisted living, long-term care, and memory care communities.

To help keep residents and staff members safe, the top five safety and security and safety solutions that every senior living community need are:

·     Access and perimeter control
·     Visitor Management
·     Video surveillance
·     In-room monitoring
·     Remote System Management

Why Is Security So Important for Senior Living Communities?

When you think about it, most senior living communities are pretty complex organizations. Some of the more extensive facilities operate like small cities with on-site dining facilities, hair salons, pools, athletic facilities, libraries, theaters, game rooms, as well as hosted on and offsite activities.

Thanks to Boomers, living in a senior's community is looking better than ever. However, the hustle and bustle of people coming and going means a community's security systems need to be up to the task of keeping residents and staff safe.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nursing and residential care facilities are among the industries with the highest prevalence of non-fatal occupational violence. And the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) found that the top four safety concerns at skilled nursing and assisted care facilities were:

·     Resident aggression and violence
·     Public aggression and violence
·     Theft from residents and staff
·     Unauthorized wandering

In their publication, "Violence and Security in Skilled Nursing/Assisted Living Facilities," the IAHSS made several recommendations for mitigating threats against seniors.

While most security integrators focus on detection, SAGE Integration focuses on prevention, understanding that delayed detection can negatively impact our senior living communities. Caregivers are busy, so the right managed security and safety solutions will enable caretakers to spend more time caring for community residents.

Additionally, the audit trails that are available through access and video security and safety solutions provide valuable information in the event of an investigation regarding thefts or unwanted advances.

Thankfully, innovations in perimeter and access control, video surveillance, in-room monitoring, and managed system options make it easier than ever to protect our loved one.

Mark Russo, Senior Living Vertical Market Leader
SAGE Integration | mrusso@sageintegration.com | 508-441-9942