Resident security firms are constantly assessing risks that challenge the security of nursing home residents and staff. Among their concerns: As attention shifts to new threats, old threats can reemerge.
“Prioritizing and continuously improving security measures is not just a regulatory necessity but a moral imperative that directly impacts quality of life for our seniors,” said Charles Mann, founder of Accushield. “When residents know that robust security measures are in place, they can feel safe and at ease in their living environment.”
Over 97% of respondents in Accushield’s 2024 survey of visitors and care providers identified the top risks as physical security, such as lights and locks, and procedural weaknesses, such as evacuations. Digital security also scored high. Additional key issues included external bad actors infiltrating properties, physical abuse, elopements and medication management.
Other ongoing threats included workplace violence and internal thefts; visitor management lapses; outdated internal environments and emergency preparedness systems; and temperature extremes.
Hebrew Senior Life, a Boston-based community of providers, has undertaken a series of proactive measures to create a safer environment, said Sakhonh Kheuamun, director of security and emergency management. The systemwide effort included collaboration with Homeland Security and non-governmental organizations.
Revamping emergency preparedness plans, including business continuity, is also key amid high turnover rates. Staff need robust training on responses, as well as realistic drills said Hytropy President
Patrick Hardy. “At a minimum, facilities should identify the critical operational processes and design basic steps to recovering them if they are interrupted,” he noted.
Mann suggests drafting and updating a workplace violence prevention program.
“A welcome trend we are seeing in many industries in 2024 is compassionate discipline and terminations, “ Hardy added. “This is something many facilities struggle with. … Focusing on HR can be just as important as reacting to something when it’s occurring.”
From the october 2024 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
