Assisted Living Security

This week I shopped for an apartment, visited a hospital and assisted living community. On my drive from Atlanta today I began to think of the three different experiences.

Before the apartment complex allowed me access to the property I was required to surrender my driver's license and the leasing agent was always with me. The hospital required a photo ID, preferably a driver's license before generating a visitors pass that included my picture. The assisted living community required no contact information or picture identification and I was left alone a few times.

I noticed a visitors sign in book (a wonderful tool) at the reception area of the assisted living but was never asked to use it. The leasing coordinator welcomed me and we began to walk the property. We toured many common areas, model apartments and even viewed a residents apartment.

The hospital verified my identity before allowing me access to their patients and staff areas and their staff was aware I was a visitor. The apartment complex verified my identity before allowing me access to apartments and resident common areas. The assisted living community gave a stranger complete assess to the home of many residents.

Is it time for existing senior living communities to ask themselves this question. Do I know who had assess to my residents and staff?

Is it time for developers, owners and insurers to include security systems in the design and financing of all new projects?

What do you think?

Rick D Watkins

About Me

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