FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESK
How Eff ective Is Your Community's Elopement Training?
By Wilson Anhar, CDAL
training, and drills that we have to check off of our “to do list.” But—regardless of your position and title—what truly keeps you up at night? Putting aside concerns over legal liabilities, reputation damage, and fi nancial consequences, a vulnerable senior getting injured on our watch is the nightmare we all hope never comes true. Last year at The Summit of Uptown in
A
Park Ridge we executed four elopement drills, once per quarter, to address situations in which a resident may wander due to confusion or cognitive decline. The purpose of any drill is to practice the role one might play in a real-life situation and to acquire effi ciency in the task at hand. We all have written policies and pro- cedures on how to conduct drills. But, apart from the obvious—to become profi cient and to check it off the list—why do we do them?
s community leaders, we all have annual, quarterly, monthly, and sometimes even weekly tasks,
In our elopement drills, everyone is in-
volved, irrespective of the individual’s depart- ment and position. We hold a briefi ng at the end of the drill and ask for everyone’s opinion on how we did. For us, the fi ndings are what is the most important part of the practice. Findings do not include feedback like “resi- dent was found,” “assessment was done,” and “vital signs were taken,” etc. Rather, fi ndings indicate what we can improve upon and what needs to be done diff erently. Findings include “How can we complete the task faster and more effi ciently?,” “What went wrong?,” and “How do we improve?” To hear it straight from the “boots on the
ground” brings a much more meaningful piece to the whole exercise. For instance, during one of our drills, we found that we needed more radios for better communica- tion. Another time, we realized that one of our staff members did not have access to our security program.
In 2018, we are
planning on moving this exercise to diff erent shifts—incidents don’t only happen Monday through Friday be- tween the hours of 9 to 5 when communities are fully staffed. Our fi rst quarter elopement drill is scheduled to take place in the evening and in partnership with our local police department. How do your written policies and proce-
Wilson Anhar, CDAL Executive Director The Summit of Uptown in Park Ridge The Arbor Company
dures on elopement translate into action? Will your staff take the correct steps prior to your arrival to the community if an elope- ment was to occur at 9 p.m.? Remember, educated employees are the key to ensuring the safety of our residents. May your knowledge never be put to test.
“CDAL is a Diff erentiator”
The Certifi ed Director of Assisted Living (CDAL) credential demonstrates an executive director’s commitment to providing residents and their families with the highest standards of excellence in senior living.
Applications are required to verify eligibility. Apply today slcccertifi
cation.org
January 26 Registration Opens
March 12 Testing Period Opens
46 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
April 17 Registration Deadline
June 1
Examination Period Closes
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
