How Garden Village Prioritizes Senior Safety in Independent Living
Garden Village in Kansas City sits on a quiet campus, yet popular shops and parks are only a five-minute drive away. This proximity is one of the key ways we ensure people feel that independence is something they can still grasp. It even led to us receiving an award from AOL for offering the best lifestyle in a senior living community.
We're aware that one of the best ways to boost the lifestyle independence of our residents is to offer them the feeling of safety they need to act without our help. We design our community to focus on boosting senior safety without sacrificing freedom, and ensure both our staff and internal programs support that.
Read on to learn the steps we take to push that mindset and understand the features we offer that deliver a true senior living peace of mind for residents and their families.
Residences Designed for Senior Safety
We have taken many steps within our apartments to improve the ability for residents to move around more easily and without assistance. For example, our barrier-free apartment layouts remove difficulties in traversing the space between residences and on the way to our range of amenities. At the same time, LED lighting exists throughout our corridors and outside, illuminating every hallway for safer nighttime walks.
We also inspect our flooring and carpets, being careful for transitions between textures to reduce the risks of canes or walkers catching on them. Our space is also built to allow for easier movement in wheelchairs, whether self-guided or assisted by one of our staff.
Walk-In Showers for Easier Hygiene
Many of our apartments include the benefit of walk-in showers, with tiled stalls and textured flooring to help prevent slips. Benches and secure grab bars are also available to offer assistance with standing or sitting, making independence easier than ever while ensuring privacy.
Anti-scald valves also prevent sudden surges of hot water, ensuring seniors enjoy a calming experience under the running water.
Individually Controlled Heat and Air
The self-controlled HVAC available in our apartments also makes comfort in the location as simple as pressing a button. Our staff can demonstrate the use of such systems, showing off some best practices for enjoying a cool summer or a warmer winter.
The quiet HVAC units also maintain a comfortable level of humidity designed to prevent respiratory issues, and both staff and residents can adjust them when necessary. We also train our staff in what to look for to prevent memory issues from leading to heating issues.
Wheelchair-Accessible Layouts for Simple Mobility
We use doors wide enough to allow for a generous turning circle and even the movement of power chairs without the possibility of damaging doorframes or walls. We understand that accidents happen, but also that wellness in retirement communities includes a strong feeling of independence. Moving around the space is a firm priority for everyone working in Garden Village.
Much of our furniture is also adjustable. Closets and shelves, for example, enable clothing, silverware, or cookware to be within easy reach of those seated, protecting people while allowing access. Similarly, we ensure the edges of our tables and countertops have a rounder silhouette to protect heads and elbows.
Senior Safety Exemplified in an Emergency Call System
The CDC reports that as many as a quarter of those older than 65 suffer a trip or fall each year, so it is essential to allow residents to request fast, human assistance.
Our national emergency-response team is available 24/7 and is trained to respond to falls as quickly as possible. We also have clear protocols that will keep residents calm until any potential additional help arrives. In addition, when a slip or fall occurs, we will notify emergency contacts, such as family, for added peace of mind.
AARP reports that around two-thirds of older adults plan to install such a system in their own home, so it was never a case of if we would do it, but when. That time is now.
We take this system very seriously. As such, we test it regularly to verify our system's clarity and signal strength and ensure that the two-way communication remains functional.
Staff Support Fuels Safe Independent Living
The live-in managers and support staff at Garden Village model an always-available safety culture we strive to promote. You can always look to them for the latest information on how we:
- Train our staff
- Keep residents informed of updates
- Maintain the location to prevent loose tiles or wobbly railings
- Help those in our community with their needs
Staff can confirm everything is as it should be to offer the highest levels of safety and to monitor resident well-being. With easy access to all areas of the facility in an emergency, they can also get anywhere they need to be within only a couple of minutes to respond to emergencies at any time of day.
You can even have a direct line to staff in case something needs to happen suddenly, to give both you and your loved one the peace of mind you need after such a life change.
With our concierge desk, we also monitor check-ins and check-outs, tracking our residents when they want to leave the location with someone else. You can then look at this information, should you be the resident's assigned support, helping you have transparency regarding their care.
Choose Peace of Mind At Garden Village, Kansas City
We have designed our community with elder safety features in mind for active retirees who need to remain active throughout their later lives. Alongside our live-in managers and other support staff, we can ensure that, even should something happen, your loved ones have the best care possible.
With its convenient location in Kansas City, Missouri, you can be assured that your loved ones are within arm's reach of anything they need, whether parks, medical care, or even the local shops. So, secure a personal tour today and look around a location where senior safety is not only a benefit, it's a priority.