Resident Wandering: You Can Never be Too Prepared
More than 5 million Americans today live with Alzheimer's disease accounting for 70% of those living with dementia. By the year 2050, that number is expected to rise to as high as 16 million. That number sounds vast and somewhat removed from our
daily lives, but the fact is that someone in the United States is diagnosed with the disease every 66 seconds. And for those living with dementia and those providing care, one of the most significant challenges is wandering.
Protecting Our Patients
Protecting patients is always the primary duty and concern for any healthcare facility. Whether in a hospital, long-term care facility, or adult daycare facility, it is vital to protect those in memory care and keep them from wandering. Resident Wandering poses a huge risk for the patient, including becoming lost, stranded, or hurt. With already compromised health, those attempting to leave the facility become subject to weather conditions, risking dehydration or hypothermia as well as the dangers that come with navigating uneven terrain.
There are Serious Legal Concerns, Too
Caring for wander-prone patients can be difficult and taxing to the staff. While the staff performs other routine duties, it is always possible for the patient to exit the facility unbeknownst to them and quickly get into a serious and life-threatening situation. The resulting fines and possible lawsuits that follow are significant.
Put Tools in Place to Prevent Resident Wandering
It is important to every facility to put tools and protocols in place to prevent resident wandering and avoiding devastating outcomes. First, train employees on steps that help in prevention, such as not propping doors open. Next, have a comprehensive wander management system in place.
What Can You do With Resident Wandering Management Systems?
As a healthcare facility, you want to make the environment as safe as possible for the patients and residents. Wander management systems provide a cost-effective way to make your facility as secure as possible without making the facility feel restrictive or uninviting. Wander management systems can do such things as lock the doors on the approach of a patient/resident tag using GPS and proximity tags, making the facility secure. Having such security in place provides families peace of mind that their loved ones are in good care and increases the marketability of your facility.
Wandering is a huge risk for care facilities. SSP helps address the risk with the most sophisticated anti-wander technologies on the market today. Call us today to discuss your facility! 888-540-0175 Headquartered near Atlanta, Georgia, we offer design, installation and service to local, regional and national clients. Call us today for more information!