Safety Measures in Memory Care Facilities

Families often dread placing their loved ones in skilled care facilities. When an individual is dealing with dementia or another cognitive disorder, however, they may find they have no choice but to do so. Individuals with memory impairments often wander and unintentionally put themselves in harm’s way.

They may also struggle with mobility issues and need help navigating daily life. When choosing a skilled care facility, family members must ensure each facility under consideration has safety measures to keep their loved ones from harm. What are some features the family should look for when making this choice? 

Secure Entrances and Exits

Secure entrances and exits are crucial in a memory care facility. When facility residents are bored, they are more inclined to wander off. Ensuring all entrances and exits are secured limits where they can go.

One way to ensure residents don’t exit a building is to have keypads on all doors. Many assume these keypads only let people enter an area, but they can also prevent residents from leaving secured areas. Furthermore, employees must be trained never to prop doors open, as residents may see these open doors as an invitation to explore restricted areas. 

Facility Design

Facility design plays a role in the safety of residents. For instance, dementia patients typically need colored toilet seats due to depth perception issues. The same holds for dinnerware, as white dishes may make it hard for patients to identify specific foods, such as rice, on their plates. Resident beds need to remain low to the ground.

A lower height reduces the risk of falls and injuries. In addition, the facility may have cushioned mats around residents’ beds to reduce the risk of injuries if a patient does fall. Motion detector lights and colored tape on the floor to guide residents to different areas of the facility are other methods used to keep residents safe. 

Medication Management

Patients must have access to medications as needed. Staff members at memory care facilities must undergo training to ensure medications are ordered, received, and dispensed on time. However, medication management goes beyond this.

Staff members must also monitor patients and note any changes in their behavior or overall well-being to determine if prescribed medications are leading to these changes.

They need to ensure patients are taking medications as prescribed and document any adverse reactions related to drug use. Staff members can then share this information with a resident’s medical team so changes can be made to the resident’s treatment plan. High-alert medications are of most concern, but staff members need training to ensure they can recognize any adverse event related to medication use. 

Safety must always be a top priority in memory care facilities. Management must implement measures to ensure the safety of residents and staff. These measures go beyond those outlined above.

Surveillance systems and emergency call buttons strategically placed throughout the facility help keep residents safe, while staff training in emergency response protocols ensures all parties know what to do in a crisis. Learn more today about safety measures for memory care facilities to ensure your loved one will receive the care they need as they face various challenges associated with aging.