Essential Cleaning for Aged Care Facilities: Maintain a Safe and Healthy Environment

Caring for elderly loved ones is a significant responsibility, and that care extends to the environment in which they live. 

Aged care facilities are more than just homes; they’re vital spaces where comfort, health, and safety must come together. Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness in these environments is essential for protecting the residents’ health, reducing infection risks, and ensuring the space feels welcoming.

Are you struggling to maintain a clean, hygienic environment in your aged care facility? You’re not alone. With varying resident needs and a fast-paced environment, cleanliness can feel like an ongoing challenge. 

This guide will walk you through essential cleaning for aged care facilities, focusing on best practices that ensure safety and hygiene.

Essential Cleaning Practices for Aged Care Facilities

1. Start with a Strong Foundation: Developing a Cleaning Plan

Creating a comprehensive cleaning plan is the cornerstone of maintaining hygiene in aged care facilities. It lays the groundwork for an organised and effective approach.

• Identify Areas of Focus: Analyse high-traffic zones, resident rooms, shared spaces, and areas with high potential for contamination.
• Schedule Regular Cleaning: Establish a detailed cleaning schedule, outlining daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Ensure high-use areas are cleaned frequently.
• Establish Cleaning Teams: Assign responsibilities and ensure all staff members are trained in cleaning protocols.
• Document Procedures: Provide clear instructions for cleaning each area, detailing cleaning products, equipment, and safety protocols.

2. The Power of Prevention: Infection Control Measures

Preventing infections is a top priority in aged care facilities. Implement these infection control strategies to protect residents:

• Hand Hygiene: Encourage frequent handwashing among staff and residents. Place hand sanitiser dispensers throughout the facility.
• Disinfection: Disinfect all high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, rails, and tables, using appropriate cleaning agents. Learn more about effective disinfection techniques to maintain hygiene.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensure staff wear proper PPE when handling cleaning tasks, particularly when dealing with bodily fluids.
• Isolation Protocols: Have measures in place for isolating residents showing signs of infection to prevent the spread.
• Regular Monitoring: Watch for signs of illness and respond swiftly to potential outbreaks.

3. Cleanliness Beyond the Basics: Specific Cleaning Needs

Some areas of cleaning for aged care facilities need extra attention to maintain a hygienic environment:

• Laundry Care: Follow strict laundry procedures, ensuring hot washes and the correct use of detergents.
• Food Safety: Practise meticulous food hygiene, ensuring that storage, preparation, and disposal methods are up to code. Consider using professional kitchen cleaning to ensure food safety compliance.
• Waste Management: Dispose of waste regularly and in the correct containers, especially for hazardous materials.
• Environmental Control: Control dust and allergens to promote air quality.
• Medical Equipment: Clean equipment used for resident care, such as thermometers and blood pressure monitors, thoroughly and regularly.

Tips for Effective Cleaning for Aged Care Facilities

1. Choose the Right Cleaning Products

Selecting appropriate cleaning products is crucial for maintaining a safe environment:

• Safety First: Use low-toxicity, low-fragrance cleaning products to ensure safety for residents with sensitive health conditions.
• Effectiveness: Opt for cleaning solutions that eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens effectively.
• Surface Compatibility: Ensure the cleaning products won’t damage or discolour facility surfaces.
• Proper Storage: Store cleaning products securely, away from residents’ access.

2. Disinfection Strategies

Disinfection is vital in aged care cleaning routines. Follow these steps to ensure thorough disinfection:

• Understand the Difference: Cleaning removes dirt, while disinfecting kills germs. Both are necessary.
• Proper Dilution: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for diluting disinfectants to ensure they are safe and effective.
• Contact Time: Allow disinfectants to sit for the recommended time to kill pathogens.
• Surface Types: Use disinfectants appropriate for different surfaces, such as porous or non-porous materials.

3. Managing the Cleaning Process

• Effective Communication: Ensure cleaning staff and care teams are aware of cleaning schedules and any specific needs.
• Regular Inspections: Frequently inspect cleanliness standards across the facility.
• Training and Education: Provide ongoing training to ensure staff are up-to-date with best practices and cleaning technology.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Create channels for staff and residents to offer feedback on cleanliness, addressing concerns promptly.

Final Thoughts

Cleanliness in aged care facilities is about more than keeping appearances—it’s about protecting residents’ health, safety, and well-being. Following these essential cleaning tips will ensure the environment remains safe, healthy, and pleasant for everyone who lives or works there. Creating a clean space fosters well-being and promotes comfort and independence for the residents.For expert help, contact Perth Express Cleaning and explore specialised aged care cleaning services to maintain a high standard of hygiene in your facility.

Frequently Asked Questions