Risk Reporter for Senior Living Communities
Spring 2016 Vol. 17, Issue 1
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EmailProtection (security management)
Senior living center security management systems are evolving
The best way to protect your senior living center from crime is to put a security management system in place.
Many senior living centers have the typical combination of alarms, locks, gates and monitoring equipment.
But those aren’t always enough. Today you need to add proven security practices and procedures to complement your security strategy.
You should conduct a thorough security assessment of your buildings and grounds, for example.
Today, it’s fairly common for senior living centers to ask their local police departments to perform a security vulnerability assessment of the organization’s buildings and grounds.
Emergency personnel can show you where your property is most vulnerable. It’s a good idea to take photos of those areas so you can address the issues later.
You can create security teams, too.
Many senior living centers today are assembling in-house security teams. These teams are made up of staff members or volunteers who can help identify potential risks as they occur.
Often during a workshop, social activity or special event, staff members or volunteers will be the first to notice a problem. For that reason, senior living centers are encouraging them to join an in-house security team.
If you can, hire trained, professional security. Staff, residents, visitors and volunteers will immediately feel safer knowing there’s a guard on duty. Having security people walking your grounds also will help deter crime.
Another security trend at senior living centers today is the addition of 24/7 digital surveillance cameras. Having strategically placed cameras both indoors and out can be a powerful deterrent to vandals.
Did You Know?
PROPERTY PROTECTION TIP
The Nursing Home Reform Act stipulates that assisted living and senior facilities must provide or maintain the highest feasible level of care in regards to a patient’s physical, mental and social well-being, and a written plan must be put into action. Log on to www.assistedlivingfacilities.org/resources/safety/.
