Memory care facilities are responsible for the wellbeing and safety of loved ones who are struggling with memory loss. There are over 8000,000 residents in assisted living homes today in the U.S., and of those 800,000+ residents, 34% have Alzheimer’s or dementia, that is over 300,000 memory care patients in the U.S. alone. Memory loss occurs on a spectrum, but residents are often prone to wandering at all stages, posing risks to their safety. Integrating a secure memory care safety solution that you can rely on can help minimize risks and stop crises before they occur.
What Does Memory Care Safety Look Like?
The staff members in memory care facilities often have a lot of responsibilities on their plates, and a reliable memory care safety system helps them monitor and keep track of residents without infringing on their privacy or independence. Within a residential care facility, there are many different operations going on at any given time including:
- Exercise and wellness activities
- Mealtimes
- Medication management
- Personal care – physical therapy, transportation, etc.
- Housekeeping and maintenance
On top of managing all these operations, staff may not have the time or ability to monitor each and every resident at all times. This is where a memory care safety system comes in handy. A reliable memory care safety solution will noninvasively track residents, raise alerts if safe zones are breached, and allow staff members high levels of visibility when it comes to the activity and location of residents. Many memory care facilities opt for a Location-Based Data Solution (LBDS), which does everything staff need it to, including monitoring residents, staff, and assets. Many LBDS offer information in real-time and also feature mobile applications that allow staff and management to access patient locations and roaming information in the palm of your hand within an instant.
Increase Facility Visibility
Integrating LBDS for memory care safety will help increase the overall visibility within your facility. You will be able to see which residents are where, how they got there, and where they are going next. Location-based data solutions (LBDS) use GPS locating software that notes and reports the pinpoint location of the radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip counterpart technology. These RFID chips use active radio frequency identification and WiFi systems to locate and report the instant location of the chip, and you can assign a chip to each resident. These chips can be attached directly to residents as bracelets or ID cards with embedded chips – removing the need for additional hardware like scanners and readers throughout the facility to grant access to the safe spaces for residents. You can even extend the use of your LBDS to staff members to allow access to staff only spaces without the need for keys.
Reinforce Peace of Mind & Independence
Utilizing LBDS for memory care safety can reinforce your peace of mind for staff members and residents’ loved ones. Knowing that you have a reliable system monitoring the location and status of residents allows peace of mind when it comes to knowing they are accounted for, even if you do not have direct eyes on them at the moment.
While reinforcing peace of mind, LBDS also promote resident independence. Independence for memory care residents is incredibly important, because many fear entering a residential facility will reduce or eliminate their day-to-day independence. LBDS allow residents to wander throughout the facility, safely without being watched over invasively. This gives staff and residents the best of both worlds; staff members can focus on all of their operations and tasks without reducing the quality of supervision and care provided to residents.
Location-Based Data Solutions Have Many Benefits
Integrating LBDS into your facility can boost the memory care safety of your residents significantly. There are many benefits to doing so, including higher visibility, reliable processes, higher peace of mind, and increased independence. With so many residents in memory care facilities throughout the country, having a reliable LBDS such as Secure Care Products’ own solutions can make a world of a difference in the quality of care your residents receive and overall memory care safety. Whether you are looking to completely rethink your resident security solutions or are looking to boost your preexisting setup, Secure Care has the LBDS that is perfect for your facility and its needs.
About Secure Care Products, LLC
For over 40 years, Secure Care Products, LLC has been committed to providing improved safety, security, and locating solutions through best-in-class service and innovative design for your most valuable assets. As the first company in the world to design and manufacture electronic monitoring equipment for wander-prone residents, we empower long-term care and healthcare facilities around the world. Using state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technologies, we keep people and things protected. Let us know how we can help you by calling 1.800.451.7917 or contact us.
