Security
How access control can protect and empower
We have come a long way in terms of care home provision and in the design of facilities, says Philip Ross, a director of Safehinge and Primera Life, and businesses and individuals are making practical changes and developing new products that both protect and empower residents
Historically, in the provision of care home facilities, there has been a medical rather than a social focus. However, since the early 1960s, the standard of accommodation and care have improved enormously. Now, things like central heating are taken for granted and en-suite bathrooms are, if not universal, at least becoming the norm. However, even though progress has
been made, changes are ongoing. There are several reasons for this. For some care home residents, the move is a lifestyle choice that offers community and friendship instead of isolation. Financial considerations are also driving change. Squeezed budgets within the NHS have reduced the number of hospital beds, resulting in the increased medicalisation of care home provision. An ageing population and an
increased incidence of age-related conditions have also pushed the emphasis towards nursing rather than residential care. At the same time, the demand for improved standards and increased staffing costs are making economies of scale essential to financial survival. Smaller units are disappearing in favour of larger ones where appropriate care can be provided for residents with a wide range of medical and neurological conditions. Most units now have individual private
bedrooms. As well as providing the essential privacy and dignity enshrined in human rights law, these rooms offer security for personal possessions and somewhere to call home. The idea of ‘home’ is important because giving residents control over aspects of their
A conventional, domestic front door lock would be wholly inadequate
routine and environment can be very beneficial. The incidence of depression is high
within care homes, but with an element of control, confidence grows, people feel better and their condition can begin to improve. Having more control, even over the smallest issues, can be an important step in building confidence, social connections and a positive outlook.
A secure front door The privilege that many of us take for granted, a secure front door with control over access to our own space is now, increasingly, being made available to care home residents. The benefits are seen in a more relaxed atmosphere and reduced tension. In addition, demands on unit staff are significantly reduced when they
With an element of control, confidence grows, people feel better and their condition can begin to improve
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are no longer constantly locking and unlocking doors, thus freeing up time for more productive or therapeutic activities. However, a care home is a specialised
environment. A conventional, domestic front door lock would be wholly inadequate. Any access control systems must be suitable for the building itself, for its security requirements and for multiple door types. It should suit the needs of clinical staff and be practical for residents with differing physical or mental capabilities. When caring for vulnerable and
sometimes unpredictable people, precautions must be taken. It wouldn’t be appropriate or safe if a resident could effectively lock themselves into a room. Similarly, any hardware must be tough enough to cope with potentially challenging behaviour. In many cases, systems that operate using mechanical keys are inadequate. They are prone to tamper and difficult to manage. As a result, more and more service providers have turned to card reading technology to control access.
www.thecarehomeenvi ronment .com • January 2017
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