The safety of residents should always remain a top priority among facility managers when it comes to managing an aged care home. In a study by the National Library of Medicine, it was revealed that tripping accidents and injuries were not a rare occurrence among the elderly in aged-care residences.
The study found that over 5 years, between July 2014 and December 2019 in 25 selected residential aged-care facilities, the total crude rate of fall incidences was 7.1 per 1,000 residents. Of these figures, 37.2% were injurious while 9.8% required hospitalisation.
That is why managers of these facilities should take the necessary measures to avoid any falls or trip-related incidents among elderly residents. Cleaning up aged-care facilities should not be done to enhance the aesthetics of the establishment, but also to only be attributed to the factor of appearance but is a necessity for the well-being and safety of some of our oldest and most vulnerable citizens.
The residents in the aged-care facilities are susceptible to infections and diseases since their immune system is compromised due to various reasons. Sanitisation in these centres is therefore crucial in reducing the pathogens that may cause diseases among residents. This helps create a healthier and more comfortable living environment for aged-care residents. A clean environment also increases the quality of living among residents and staff as it brings a sense of order and safety.
There are many roles that facility managers must perform when it comes to managing an aged care facility. While it may be challenging for facility managers to ensure every aspect of the aged-care facility remains clean and safe, they can always turn to the help of professional commercial cleaners. With the help of these experts, they can ensure a clean and healthy environment for the residents of these establishments.
In this blog, we will look at four types of commercial cleaning services in Australia to enhance the safety and well-being of occupants in aged care homes.
1. Routine cleaning and maintenance
Maintaining cleanliness and tidiness of an aged-care facility is a crucial requirement to ensure the health, safety, and quality of living of residents. Daily cleaning should include wiping countertops, sinks, and other surfaces. They also help to eliminate residues by washing, vacuuming. sweeping, or dusting depending on the surface type. It is also effective to use a microfibre cloth to dust shelves and furniture to avoid allergens.
Routine cleaning and washing also includes floor care, especially along corridors that are frequently walked on. The doorknobs or light switches should also be cleaned with disinfectants to minimise the transfer of bacteria.
Weekly cleaning should also entail more intense dusting, sweeping and mopping of all hard surfaces, carpet vacuuming, and bathroom washing to discourage stain or mould formation among other stains. It is also important to empty rubbish bins so that no smell or mess is visible.
2. Deep cleaning services
Cleaning aged-care facilities is more than just tackling surface dirt. Deep cleaning services delve deeper, tackling areas that are often neglected in daily maintenance. This specialised service is especially important in an aged-care facility, where neglecting the hygiene of the facility could negatively impact the health of the residents.
Deep cleaning services include getting rid of contaminants that may be on the carpet or furniture such as dust mites, allergens, and even bacteria. This can greatly improve the living standards for residents, especially for those who suffer from respiratory conditions or allergies.
They also clean surfaces that are hard to reach such as corners, crevices, and areas beneath furniture such as sofas, that are known to accumulate dust and even mould spores. This enables the reduction of the danger of slipping on unseen debris by ensuring that the entire floor space has been properly disinfected.
Deep cleaning services also offer kitchen and dining area cleaning to remove potential sources of food-borne illnesses. This minimises the chances of residents who are immunocompromised from getting infected by other residents within the facility. This type of service also enhances the freshness of air within the building and eradicates all germs within the HVAC systems.
Deep cleaning specialists also disinfect and scrub bathrooms and shower areas to remove mould and mildew.
3. Disinfection services
Among the various types of commercial cleaning services for aged-care facilities, disinfection services are one of the most important, as they can offer additional protection to the elders living in aged-care facilities against infectious diseases.
Disinfection services generally incorporate hospital-grade disinfectants, which are designed to kill most germs that are known to cause infections, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Compared to a general cleaner that just wipes the germs across a surface, disinfection services prevent these germs from spreading further.
Sanitisation also considers other medical equipment used by residents and staff, along with frequently touched areas, such as doorknobs, light switches, and even handrails. These facilities become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, which is why routine cleaning reduces the likelihood of spreading the contagion.
Disinfection service types are important to help curb the spread of illnesses within the aged-care facility. By implementing a more frequent and targeted disinfection protocol, professional cleaners can help control the spread of the infection and protect the health of residents and staff.
4. Specialised cleaning services
While there are various types of commercial cleaning services, specialised cleaning services go beyond routine maintenance to address the specific needs of aged-care facilities.
Dementia units require a particularly thoughtful approach. Specialised cleaning services cater to this by creating a calm and clear environment. This might entail the removal of clutter, providing adequate lighting and maintaining familiar routines to promote a sense of well-being for residents with cognitive challenges.
All activity fosters direct and indirect safety and welfare of residents in an aged-care facility. Window cleaning helps make the room brighter, which is instrumental in boosting the residents’ mood and reducing feelings of isolation. Professional floor care services also take the necessary steps to ensure a clean facility. They make sure that the facility remains slip-free by stripping, waxing, and polishing floors. This reduces instances of falls in aged-care facilities.
These specialised services supplement traditional cleaning and disinfecting processes so that residents of aged-care facilities can live comfortably in an environment free of disease. It is a complex process that provides purpose and ensures protection of not only the physical but also the emotional aspect of the neediest individuals.
Work with experts who can provide various types of commercial cleaning services to aged-care facilities
Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for aged-care residents is a necessity to ensure their health and safety. With various types of commercial cleaning services that provide routine cleaning, deep cleaning, disinfection, and specialised services, aged-care facilities can create a haven that minimises health risks and fosters well-being.
Partnering with a provider of commercial cleaning in Sydney allows you to leverage their expertise and ensure a holistic approach to resident safety—a multi-faceted effort that brings peace of mind to both residents and their families.