5 Pieces of Medical Equipment Every Assisted Living Home Should Have: While aging is an inevitable part of life for all of us, making the decision to send a loved one to an assisted-living facility is never easy. It’s natural to be left feeling guilty, especially when one considers that these were the very people that took care of you.
While choosing a reputable senior living facility such as Longhouse is a good start, there are many considerations to be made before making the final commitment and signing on the dotted line. After all, this isn’t a decision that one wants to take lightly.
One of the biggest benefits of opting to have a loved one cared for in an assisted living facility is that you’re ensuring they receive better medical support than you’d be able to provide in the event of an emergency. Good senior care homes have important pieces of medical equipment on site, along with trained professionals that are capable of using these effectively when the need arises. To provide greater insight, here are some of the essential medical equipment that every decent assisted living facility should have on hand:
First Aid Supplies
Accidents happen, especially when elderly people who are unsteady on their feet are concerned. This is why it is essential for senior care facilities to have all the standard first aid supplies on hand at all times. At minimum, their medical carts should feature healing ointments, bandages for minor injuries and antiseptic wipes. Care providers need to have access to basic first aid supplies to reduce the risk of injuries being exacerbated and the senior developing further complications. Having a well-equipped and responsive first aid setup within an assisted living community is crucial to maintaining residents’ safety and well-being, providing immediate care when needed, and creating a safe living space for seniors.
Diagnostic Equipment
Senior living facilities offer medical care, so standard diagnostic machines are a must-have. Diagnostic equipment includes stethoscopes, tongue depressors, thermometers, penlights and neurological hammers. Other items such as blood pressure monitors and blood drawing kits may also be available on the senior care home’s medical cart.
Pain Management Supplies
You’ll also find that senior care homes will have numerous pain management supplies on site. A common example of pain management equipment found in most senior care facilities includes warm and cold packs, as elderly residents are known to suffer from conditions such as arthritis.
Infection Prevention Equipment
In the age of COVID-19, we are all now familiar with how an infectious disease or virus can spread like wildfire, especially in senior care homes where more people have compromised immune systems. If you’re considering assisted living, it is particularly important for senior care homes to implement adequate infection prevention precautions and have the appropriate infection prevention supplies on site. Items such as disinfectant, hand sanitizer, and personal protective equipment (PPE) items like N95 masks, goggles and face shields should be available.
But, aside from medical support, some assisted living homes also provide assistance devices to help seniors do their daily activities more efficiently. Some of these popular devices include electric mobility scooters. They refer to equipment utilized as a mobility aid for elderly and people with disabilities. They can be an excellent device to use when a loved one lacks the physical strength to walk or move without assistance.
Moreover, using a mobility scooter can be beneficial to your loved one in several ways. For example, with this mobility aid in place, your loved one doesn’t need to depend on anyone for help. They can freely do anything they want, making them more independent despite their physical limitations. As a result, they feel more secure because they can move around comfortably.
On the other hand, a mobility scooter can help your loved one deal with some mobility issues more effectively. With this equipment, they can go outdoors to breathe fresh air, enjoy sunlight, and enjoy nature. They can also interact with other people and participate in some enjoyable activities in the facility. Consequently, your loved one’s quality of life is improved.
With these things being said, there’s no doubt why assistance devices, like mobility scooters, are a must in every assisted living home. Whether you buy one for your loved one or rent one in the facility, there’s a full selection of mobility scooters to choose from.
Conclusion
Caring for the elderly comes with its challenges, especially when you consider the complex nature of their medical needs. Assisted living facilities have the advantage of having trained staff on hand to administer the appropriate medical care whenever necessary. To help them to do their jobs properly and ensure residents receive a high-standard of care, it is essential for the assisted-living facility to have certain key pieces of medical equipment on hand.