Nursing homes are required to abide by strict safety and fire codes. Most of them do a decent job of adhering to these regulations so that all residents are safe. However, you still want to make sure that the nursing home your parent checks into is one that is compliant and up-to-date with their fire and safety codes. Here is what to look for.
Specific Fire Code Standards
Nursing homes are required to have several fire extinguishers at the ready. These may be hung on the walls at key points in the hallways or they may be located in cabinets behind little glass doors. The fire extinguishers must be full and checked regularly by a fire department when the fire department performs its fire safety checks on the building. Additionally, if there is more than one floor (a.k.a., ground floor or singular level) in the building, and there are elevators in the building, there needs to be more than one way for residents to safely evacuate in the event of a fire. Stairs, wheelchair ramps and alternate exits for those located on the second floor and above should be present, since most elevators are frequently programmed to freeze their operation in the event of a fire.
If your parent has a private room or an apartment all their own in the nursing home, there should be at least one fire extinguisher in the room as well. In the event of a fire in the private room, nurses may not have time to run out, grab the nearest extinguisher and then unlock the door to let themselves back in to douse the fire. Usually, these private rooms will have an extinguisher in the kitchen or bedroom, depending on the amenities provided in this type of room and the nursing home itself.
Specific Safety Standards
Although fire standards belong under the heading of safety, they tend to be separate from safety regulations and standards because they address a more serious safety issue. Other safety issues in nursing homes usually have to do with the prevention of slips, trips and falls. For these safety issues, nursing homes install railings along the walls, grab bars in the bathrooms near the toilets and grab bars in and around the showers and tubs. Many nursing homes now have spa tubs that allow the residents to step in, sit down and close the door before filling the tubs, but there should still be some grab bars close at hand and slip-proof mats in and out of these tubs. If your chosen nursing home has all of the above, you have chosen well.
If you're looking for a nursing home in your area, visit Regina Nursing Center.
Share20 January 2016
My mother had been living with my family for about four years before her health got so bad that I couldn't keep her in my home any longer. At that point, I really had no choice but to find a comfortable nursing home for her to move into. This wasn't an easy decision for me to make, but it was the only thing I could do to ensure she was getting the best care possible during her final days. I was pleased to find a wonderful nursing home that provided her with amenities that she could enjoy and a caring staff that would care for her. If you are second-thinking taking your loved one to a nursing home, stop and read my blog where you will find out how much good it can do for your loved one and yourself.