Most individuals living within your care home will require extra attention and a gentle touch. Many will also be suffering from severe memory loss, which could make it difficult for them to keep their own safety and wellbeing top of mind. As such, care homeowners and managers need to take strict action to ensure optimal safety for all residents at all times and in all circumstances. Here are some tips.
Install nursing bed accessories There is always a concern that patients could accidentally roll out of bed at night and injure themselves. There is also a concern that those patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s with mobility issues might try to get out of bed without the support that they need, which also puts them at risk of injury. This is why the right nursing bed accessories, such as bed rail protectors and foldable crash mats, are some of the most important care home supplies to consider.
Improve the Lighting
Many care homes steer clear of bright lighting because dimmer lighting is often thought to be more calming. However, if the lighting is too dim, it may play a role in heightening the risk of patient falls. It is imperative that all seniors within the care home are able to see clearly at all times when they are moving around. Therefore, along with ceiling lights, it is also worth considering standing lamps, as well as including lamps on the bedside tables. Installing adequate lighting in passageways and inside all bathrooms is particularly important.
Invest in Movement and Handling Equipment
As already mentioned, mobility is a common concern when taking care of the elderly. Even those who can still walk and get around somewhat independently will often require a certain amount of support and equipment to do so. You will also likely be looking after seniors who are completely bed-ridden. The right movement and handling equipment can assist with moving patients from one room to another, bathing, dressing, and more. The most vital of this type of equipment includes patient hoists and slings, as well as transfer aids.
Investigate the Furniture
The way you arrange furniture inside the sitting room is of critical importance when it comes to improving patient safety. It should be arranged in such a manner that seniors find it easy to move around even when using bulky walking aids. Another consideration is to check on the quality of the existing furniture regularly, making certain that it is sufficiently sturdy and that any unstable furniture items are repaired quickly or replaced. Finally, you need to reduce the risk of severe injury in the event that a fall does take place. As such, install protectors on all sharp corners and try to avoid investing in any tables that have glass tops.
Find the Right Sensors and Alarms
Preventing tumbles in the elderly is critical. Unfortunately, watching an elderly individual 24/7 within a busy care home is not always viable. This is where sensors and alarms come in handy. Many of these sensors have pressure pads that can detect when a seated individual gets up and can alert the home care workers via a nurse call system. These pressure pads and sensors can be placed on chairs or in beds depending on need and are easy to move from one piece of furniture to another.
Lastly, speak to the families of the seniors in your care about the importance of buying their loved ones some good quality shoes with sturdy rubber soles. Along with non-skid soles, the fit must be snug (consider adjustable straps) and the design should provide extra support to the feet and ankles.
Spruce up the Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in a care home when it comes to the risk of slips and falls. This is why care homeowners should research the various bathroom aids and commodes available to maximise safety. A few worthwhile investments include sani-chairs (most are compatible with disposable bed pans and commode pans), shower chairs, toilet frames, and raised toilet seats. As mentioned above, be sure to check that the lighting in the bathrooms is bright enough to make it easy for seniors to navigate their way around at night.
Ultimately, the more equipment that you have in place inside your care home, the safer it will be. It is also certain to provide seniors, as well as their families with greater peace of mind.
If you are looking for any of the care home supplies as mentioned above, you will find them all right here at Medical Supermarket. We are here to assist you in finding the right products for your patients in the most convenient way possible. Shop online and enjoy next day delivery on stocked items if you order before 4pm.
