4 Helpful Tips for Securing an Adult Care Facility

According to the Small Business Development Center, roughly 1 million Americans live in senior care facilities. This number is expected to double by the year 2030. Due to this, some people are establishing adult care businesses by transforming houses into assisted living and continuing care homes for the elderly.

If you are considering this type of business venture, it is important to determine what types of security measures you will need to keep your residents safe in your facility. Here are a few things you'll need. 

Access controls systems

You'll need to limit access at all the entrances and exits. This will prevent intrusions by criminals and also prevent the residents from being able to leave in case they have dementia. Access control systems authorize doors to be opened based on credentials. These systems use key cards, fingerprints, or keypads as means to establish credentials.

Employees, guardians and family members can only gain access to areas where they are authorized. The computer that reads the credentials determines if access is authorized, based on how you set up your program. Guardians and family members can be limited to only main entrances, while employees can gain access to multiple areas. Other areas to secure with access control systems include:

• medicine cabinets
• utility closets
• supply rooms
• kitchens

Limit your custodial staff to have access to only the main entrance, utility closets and supply rooms. Kitchen staff can be limited to the main entrance, kitchen and food storage rooms.

To protect your residents who may have dementia or bouts of confusion, you can hide the access control panels behind curtains or framed pictures. This will help reduce the risk of damage to the panels if a patient becomes violent, angry or aggressive in their confusion.

Security cameras

Install security cameras at each entrance so visitors can be easily identified by staff at the nurse station or reception desk. Protect the security cameras from criminal activity and the elements of weather by installing them in a dome enclosure.

Security cameras should be installed throughout your facility so your employees can keep watchful eyes on your residents and visitors. Security cameras in each room can help your staff monitor your residents without leaving the nurse station.

Security cameras can record videos that may help explain various situations, such as if a resident slips and falls. This may help protect your business against liability claims against your insurance policy.

Personal alert monitors

There are several types of personal alert monitors available. These are devices your patients can wear or attach to their wheelchairs or beds. The devices have buttons that can be pushed when help is needed. These devices are similar to the nurse call buttons that are found on hospital beds.

Monitors that detect movement can be installed on beds. These devices are designed to signal the nurse's station the moment a patient gets out of bed. They can be monitored by the computer system, which can then immediately switch the main video screen over to that patient's room.

Safe deposit boxes

Install safe deposit boxes to keep the personal valuables of each employee and resident safe. Family members and guardians can have access to their loved one's safe deposit box. Employees can keep their personal belongings in their boxes while they are on shift, such as their vehicle keys. This can help prevent residents from acquiring others personal belongings that can be harmful to them or cause them confusion.

The security of your facility can help improve the safety of your residents. Contact a commercial locksmith through resources like http://www.suburbanlock.com for more ideas on how to secure the building and all areas of concern.