Security


How secure is your care home environment?


A growing need for a harmonious blend of security, accessibility, and privacy is driving demand for more modern, digital access solutions within our country’s care homes, as Bruce Donald, UK & Ireland manager at SimonsVoss, explains


A physically secure care home must ensure the safety and wellbeing of the vulnerable residents who reside within it – as well as providing relevant and effortless access for the staff, suppliers, visiting medical personnel, friends, and relatives that enter and exit these buildings daily. Each facility has its own set of unique


needs, based upon the number of residents and staff, varying visitor numbers, specialist needs of residents, requirements of external healthcare providers and suppliers – as well as the style of building and number and type of access points in place across any one site. There is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution to establishing this secure ideal. A secure care home environment will be underpinned by a physical access control solution that provides security while cultivating a welcoming and comfortable environment. Access solutions must offer protection while remaining discreet and in keeping with the surroundings and design of the building. There is a careful balance that needs to be struck.


A rising demand puts security in the spotlight


The Nuffield Trust estimates that by 2050, around one in four people will be aged 65 and over. Demand for social care services has already risen from 2015/16 to 2021/22 and is forecast to continue to rise to support a population that is both ageing and increasingly susceptible to multiple long- term conditions.


Couple this with the fact that we are


seeing fewer registrations of new care homes, and an upward trend in closures, the result is a net reduction in the number of care home facilities available. What does this mean? Our existing care


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Access solutions must offer protection while remaining discreet


homes will be in demand more than ever over the coming decades, and facility and building managers will have to navigate a rising number of not only residents but the daily access needs of staff, suppliers, visitors, and medical personnel. In response to this pressure, there


is a growing interest in modernising infrastructure and automating processes, such as replacing traditional mechanical locks and keys with keyless entry systems, also known as keyless access control systems.


These digital solutions free up staff to focus more on providing high-quality care, eliminate the risks associated with lost or stolen keys or unlocked doors, and offer residents and their families the reassurance that their environment is designed with safety and well-being at its core. Reliable, flexible, and secure access control measures are essential to maintain the safety and comfort of those who rely on our care facilities, both now and in the future.


Key areas of care homes requiring security Protecting the safety and wellbeing of residents, safeguarding valuable equipment, and ensuring efficient operations are all critical in the efficient running of a care home facility. Below are a few key areas that require robust and secure access control.


Entrance/reception area – the main entrance is the first line of defence in any


care home. It must be secured to prevent unauthorised access while allowing easy entry for residents, staff, and authorised visitors.


Main and side entrances – all access points need to be controlled. Individual access rights, including temporary access that can be switched on and off, whatever the time of day and remotely, is vital.


Resident rooms – these must be secure to protect personal belongings and ensure privacy while also allowing access assigned to residents, caregivers, and emergency personnel.


Sensitive rooms – access to medication and supply rooms, administration offices, and staff areas must be strictly controlled to prevent theft, misuse, or accidental ingestion by residents. Some will require daily logs and filed reports of personnel who enter so there is clear visibility of comings and goings. These audit trails may be important in the case of an investigation.


www.thecarehomeenvironment.com October 2024


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