Keeping a senior living environment clean and sanitized has always been a priority for communities and caregivers alike. However, the challenges associated with Covid-19 raised disease control vigilance to a new level, resulting in even more meticulous detail to senior living cleanliness.
Senior living cleanliness: Maintaining the highest standards
Simply put, cleanliness matters—a lot. The first time you enter a senior living community, pay attention to your first impressions. Is the staff friendly? Are residents smiling and interacting with one another? Does it feel warm and inviting? And maybe most importantly: is it clean?
An initial tour is the first step in getting an idea of how a community approaches cleanliness. As you explore the grounds, pay attention to surfaces, windows and floors. Note pervasive odors. Note how often you see staff members tidying up.
Cleaning expert Marie Kondo said, “The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.” At Peregrine, we agree. We specialize in creating senior living that encourages our residents to lead full lives by continuing to grow mentally, spiritually and socially. In other words, being happy where you live, knowing that every detail is being considered, including senior living cleanliness.
Here are some of the ways today’s communities are approaching senior living cleanliness:
• Training staff. Senior living cleanliness calls for keeping the staff up-to-date on new procedures and guidelines for cleaning and sanitation. Regularly evaluating how to interact safely with residents and visitors. Today’s senior living staff members also are taking extra measures to monitor their own health, so they can let their supervisors know if they need to be absent due to illness.
• Using the right tools. Choosing cleaning products recommended by the EPA, and regularly reviewing CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting.
• Cleaning continuously. Today’s cleaning crews know that cleaning is ongoing and it’s about more than the doors of resident apartments or the front lobby. It’s having hand sanitizer stations throughout the community. Checking and re-checking any area where there is a lot of traffic, such as dining areas, the spa and beauty shop, fitness center, wellness center, storage areas, handrails in the hallways, materials in the library, and so much more.
• Using disinfectants properly. A quick wipe isn’t going to do the job. In today’s senior living communities, staff receive instruction on the importance of letting disinfectant sit long enough on high-touch surfaces, such as door handles and light switches, so that the disinfectant can be on the surface long enough to destroy harmful bacteria.
This is especially important in senior living cleanliness, as it’s not just residents and staff members who are touching these surfaces, it’s guests, therapists, family members, visitors and others. Properly used, hospital-grade disinfectants can stop norovirus and other sources of infection.
• Cleaning in the right order. In a resident’s room, it’s important to start at the top, with higher surfaces. Also, crews are trained to clean least dirty objects first, such as a mirror, or picture on the wall. Then, move to areas that are more likely to hold germs, such as a countertop or faucet.
• Keeping the air filtration system clean. More than ever, today’s communities recognize the importance of regularly inspecting and cleaning air filtration materials. In addition, many communities are investigating how their HVAC system can be modified to increase the rate of exchange with fresh air from the outside and also reduce recirculation once the air is inside.
• Bringing in fresh air. Covid-19 inspired many communities to go outdoors more than ever for activities and events. That is still true today, but in addition, senior living cleanliness today calls for exploring ways of improving ventilation by bringing more fresh air inside. Doing this can help disperse viral particles in the air and lower the risk of people inhaling them or getting infected through their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Senior living cleanliness: A top priority
Keeping residents, family members, visitors and staff safe and healthy is at the top of the list for today’s senior living communities, and paying special attention to safe and effective methods of cleaning and sanitation is critical. At Peregrine, we are looking out for you.
We look forward to discussing how Peregrine can help you or your loved one thrive. Contact us today to learn more, and please download the free guide, The Complete Guide to Choosing Between Senior Living Options. We are here to help you!
