Green janitorial services can play a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of senior citizens in assisted care living facilities.
The Role of Green Janitorial Services in Senior and Assisted Care Living Facilities
Senior and assisted care living facilities face multiple challenges, many of which can be addressed with professional cleaning and maintenance services.
Elderly residents often suffer from weaker or compromised immune systems, meaning a considerable amount of care will need to be taken when purchasing and using cleaning chemicals.
Numerous, high-contact surfaces unique to senior residences, such as chair and handrails, must be routinely sterilized to avoid the transfer of germs.
Additionally, carpet cleaning and floor care services must use chemicals that align with the care facilities health and safety guidelines while ensuring a slip and fall free environment.
Finally, services must quickly provide a return on investment to address the realities of rising health care costs without sacrificing quality or resident health.
Challenges Facing Senior Care Facilities
When the families or care providers for prospective residents are considering a facility, they are often advised to look for:
- Professional and friendly staff - Outsourced janitorial providers will need to ensure that personnel assigned to clean and provide maintenance for your facility meet your internal employee expectations.
- Happy and healthy residents - It is nearly impossible for a person to exhibit any signs of happiness in an inadequately cleaned and cared for environment. If your facilities are dirty and unhealthy, it will be reflected in the health and behavior of the residents.
- Facility health and safety - The family or advocate will usually want to inspect common areas, living quarters, dining rooms and kitchens, as well as lounge areas and upholstery for signs of neglect or low-quality standards.
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General Cleaning & Purchasing Guidelines
- Use eco-friendly, biodegradable chemicals to eliminate occupant exposure to everyday toxins used in commercial sanitizers.
- Clean air ducts and vents regularly, depending on dust exposure, and implement HEPA filters for central heating and cooling systems.
- Clean all floors, rugs, and mats with a HEPA filtered vacuum every day, especially in facilities where active seniors travel outside of the compound, to avoid toxin transfer on shoes, as well as dust and bacteria build up in carpets.
- Use microfiber mops, brooms, and towels to absorb water and cleaning chemicals more efficiently than cloth or cotton alternatives to reduce the potential for wet or slippery surfaces.
- Monitor, declutter, and sweep wheelchair ramps daily, and as needed throughout any given day.
- Ensure all handrails, chair rails, light switches, computer and entertainment equipment, restrooms, tables, and eating areas are monitored and sterilized, at least, daily.
- Remove all trash and soiled waste daily, and as needed.
- Clean up all spills and accidents immediately and sterilize as necessary.
- Clean carpets and scrub floors monthly to avoid the buildup of dirt and bacteria that can lead to slips and falls or other respiratory and health-related problems.
- Thoroughly clean upholstery, especially arm and head rests, month and as needed.
- Avoid the use of scented air fresheners, polishes, or cleaners, mainly pine scented, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas to prevent the potential for a chemical reaction that creates formaldehyde in the air.
- Follow standard cleaning best practices for food preparation and nursing stations, paying close attention to chemicals used in the process to avoid toxin transfer to residents, in particular through digestion for contaminated food or medical equipment.
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Takeaway
Rising healthcare costs are forcing senior and assisted living facilities managers to seek quality alternatives to many services and established practices to reduce operational costs without sacrificing quality or safety.
Additionally, consumer demand has placed a significant emphasis on the use of safer chemicals used in cleaning and food preparation to avoid short and long-term health side effects.
Green cleaning practices have repeatedly been shown to provide a superior level of clean in the multi-disciplined areas commonly present in assisted living facilities at a business-friendly price point.
Advertising a green and eco-friendly facility will help establish your organization as a leader in community conscience leadership, as well as solidify your organization as a superior residence, focused on the health and well-being of their occupants and employees.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of green janitorial services for your senior or assisted care living facility, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 395-3009
In Fresno CA, call (559) 473-1790
