When you were on the quest to find a care home for your elderly relative, you probably had one key focus in mind – their safety. But did you know that care homes bring a few hazards of their own? Of course, this isn’t to say that a care home isn’t still the safest option, but it is worth being aware of potential risks and knowing how to offset them. That’s why we’re breaking down the most common care home hazards for you here. Let’s get into it!
# 1 – Neglect
Studies sadly suggest that neglect is one of the leading care home hazards right now. But what exactly do we mean by this? Well, unlike abuse, neglect often comes down to oversights like poor staffing and lackluster training. Whatever the reason, this is an issue that can lead to everything from medication mismanagement to severe, and even potentially life-threatening problems such as bed sores. But how can you stop yourself from facing a stage 4 bed sore lawsuit, or witnessing your loved one in any kind of distress as a result of this problem? Well, the best thing is to check things like staffing numbers in advance, and looking out for red flags like overwrought workers. Alternatively, acting quickly if you do notice worrying signs like long periods between care tasks can ensure that deeper-seated neglect issues can never fester.
# 2 – Slips, Trips, And Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are common in care homes, mainly because a lot of residents experience varying kinds of mobility issues. None of this is the fault of the care home, so how can you possibly keep your loved one safe from something that seems unavoidable? Well, this all comes down to the precautions on offer. For one thing, if your loved one is at high risk of slips and falls, advocating for a personalized care plan and fall risk assessment is key to removing risks where possible. Equally, you should advocate for general precautions, such as grab bars and aids, as well as generally well-lit and clutter-free communal areas.
# 3 – Infections
Infection risks are unavoidably high in care homes, as we saw all too evidently during COVID-19, when care home populations were hit incredibly hard. The same spread rate has historically also been seen across everything from flu outbreaks to norovirus, and beyond. Unlike the other issues mentioned, a lot of this risk ultimately stems from outside of the care home itself. After all, visitors are a key source for bringing infections in, which is why it’s always vital to avoid visiting if you feel unwell, and to also follow PPE protocols strictly. Aside from that, it’s worth looking at hygiene reports, enquiring about staff vaccination programs, and even reporting concerns, such as minimal disinfectant use or worries surrounding staff hand washing.
Care homes are some of the safest places for our elderly loved ones, but we can make them even safer by keeping an eye out for common hazards like these.
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