How Do Care Homes Keep Residents Safe?

Safety lies at the heart of everything we do at Ashberry Care Homes. When families entrust their loved ones to our care, they need complete confidence that their wellbeing is protected through robust, thoughtful safety measures. From physical security to infection control, fall prevention to emergency procedures, our comprehensive approach ensures residents can live with both freedom and protection.

Building Security and Access Control

The physical security of our care homes forms the foundation of our safety measures, creating a secure environment without feeling institutional or restrictive.

Every Ashberry Care Home features carefully designed security systems that balance accessibility with protection. Main entrances are monitored and controlled, requiring visitors to identify themselves before entry. This ensures we always know who is in the building while preventing unauthorised access.

Key security features include:

• Secure entry systems that log all visitors entering and leaving the building
• Coded access doors in appropriate areas to prevent residents with orientation challenges from wandering into unsafe areas
• External doors fitted with alarms that alert staff if opened unexpectedly
• Secure garden areas that allow safe outdoor access without risk of unnoticed departure

These physical measures create a secure perimeter while maintaining a homely, welcoming atmosphere within the home itself.

Personalised Risk Assessment

Safety isn't one-size-fits-all. At Ashberry, we recognise that each resident has unique needs requiring individualised safety approaches.

Upon admission and regularly thereafter, we conduct comprehensive risk assessments for each resident. These cover everything from mobility and fall risk to medication management, nutrition, and specific health conditions. The resulting safety plan balances protection with independence, ensuring appropriate safeguards without unnecessary restrictions.

What makes our approach effective is how we integrate these assessments into daily care. Rather than sitting in a folder, this information actively shapes how we support each person, with regular reviews capturing changing needs.

Fall Prevention and Management

Falls represent one of the most significant risks for older adults, potentially causing serious injury and reduced confidence. Our proactive approach to fall prevention combines environmental design, individual assessment, and staff vigilance.

Our homes are designed with fall prevention in mind, featuring:

• Non-slip flooring throughout communal areas and bathrooms
• Well-placed handrails in corridors and bathrooms
• Good lighting, particularly on staircases and in transition areas
• Clear pathways free from obstacles or trip hazards
• Height-appropriate furniture that supports safe sitting and standing

For residents with higher fall risks, additional measures might include sensor mats that alert staff to movement, lower beds, and enhanced supervision during mobility. Should a fall occur, our staff are trained in proper assessment and response procedures, ensuring appropriate medical attention and careful monitoring.

Fire Safety and Emergency Planning

Fire safety is paramount in residential care settings. Our comprehensive approach includes prevention, early detection, and clear evacuation procedures.

Each Ashberry home maintains:

• Advanced fire detection systems with smoke and heat sensors throughout the building
• Regular testing of all alarms and emergency lighting
• Clear evacuation routes with appropriate signage
• Fire-resistant building materials and compartmentation to prevent spread
• Regular staff training in fire procedures and evacuation techniques

Beyond these standard measures, we develop Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for each resident, identifying their specific needs during an emergency. Staff participate in regular drills and scenario training, ensuring everyone knows exactly what to do in any emergency situation.

Infection Control and Prevention

The importance of robust infection control has never been clearer. Our comprehensive approach goes well beyond basic cleanliness to create multiple layers of protection against infectious diseases.

Our infection control measures include:

• Rigorous hand hygiene protocols for all staff, visitors, and residents
• Regular, thorough cleaning of all areas using appropriate disinfectants
• Proper use of personal protective equipment when required
• Clear protocols for managing any suspected infections
• Regular staff training on infection prevention best practices

These day-to-day measures are supported by purpose-designed environments with appropriate surfaces, ventilation systems, and facilities that make good hygiene practices easier to maintain.

Medication Management

Safe medication management is critical in care homes, where many residents take multiple medications. Our robust systems ensure the right person receives the right medication at the right time, every time.

Our approach includes:

• Secure storage of all medications in line with regulations
• Electronic medication administration records for accuracy and audit
• Staff training in medication administration and side effect monitoring
• Regular medication reviews with healthcare professionals
• Clear protocols for controlled drugs and PRN (as needed) medications

Each resident's medication plan is regularly reviewed to identify potential interactions or opportunities to optimise treatment, with changes carefully monitored for impact on wellbeing.

Safeguarding and Staff Training

Our comprehensive staff training ensures that everyone working in our homes understands their responsibility to protect vulnerable adults and recognise signs that might indicate concerns.

All staff receive:

• Thorough safeguarding training during induction and regular refreshers
• Clear procedures for reporting concerns
• Training in mental capacity assessment and deprivation of liberty safeguards
• Guidance on supporting residents to make informed choices and maintain independence

We maintain open communication with residents, families, and healthcare professionals, creating an environment where concerns can be raised and addressed promptly.

Technology Supporting Safety

While human care remains at the heart of our approach, we utilise appropriate technology to enhance safety without compromising dignity or independence.

Technological safety measures in our homes might include:

• Call systems that allow residents to summon help from any location
• Passive monitoring systems that alert staff to unusual patterns
• Electronic care planning that ensures information is current and accessible
• Medication management systems that reduce error risk

These technologies support rather than replace the human observation and care that forms the foundation of resident safety.

Balanced Approach to Risk

At Ashberry Care Homes, we understand that safety must be balanced with quality of life. Excessive restrictions in the name of safety can diminish wellbeing and independence. Our approach focuses on enabling residents to live as fully as possible while managing risks appropriately.

We work closely with residents and families to understand what matters most to them and how we can support their desired lifestyle while maintaining safety. This might mean accepting certain managed risks to maintain independence and dignity, always with clear communication and agreed protocols.

To learn more about our comprehensive approach to resident safety or to arrange a visit to one of our homes, please contact our friendly team. Your loved one's safety is our priority – not just through systems and procedures, but through the attentive, person-centred care that defines Ashberry Care Homes.

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