Are Assisted Living Homes Safe for the Elderly?

Seniors are at high risk of severe complications from pneumonia, influenza, infections and COVID-19. If not controlled, illness and infection can spread rapidly in the close quarters of an assisted living facility. Here are a few ways facilities protect your health:

• Staff regularly wash their hands and sanitizes items such as doorknobs, faucets, toilets and cookware. Face masks may also be required in some facilities.
• Staff and residents are strongly encouraged or required to be vaccinated against the flu, pneumonia and COVID-19.
• Staff monitor residents for signs of illness and infection.
• Sick residents are placed in a private room to prevent virus spread.
• The facility restricts or disallows visitors during an outbreak.

Assisted living facilities take the safety of residents very seriously, and this is especially true in memory care units where seniors have the tendency to wander. Security measures include:

• Alzheimer’s patients wear electronic bracelets that alert staff if they get too close to stairs, elevators and facility exits.
• Residents may be monitored 24/7 so staff are ready to help in the event of an emergency.
• Entrances and exits are locked and require a code or key card to open.
• Visitors may need to be approved and checked in at the front desk.
• Facilities should have security cameras inside and outside of the building.

Falls can be dangerous for even the healthiest seniors, resulting in broken bones, concussions and other injuries that may take a long time to heal. Assisted living homes prevent falls by:

• Keeping rooms and common areas clean and free of clutter
• Ensuring residents can get into and out of bed easily
• Installing nonslip flooring in bedrooms and bathrooms
• Providing grab bars near toilets and in showers
• Helping residents improve balance through exercise classes and physical therapy
• Managing conditions that can cause falls, such as low blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis