For residents and their families who are spending retirement savings for assisted living, a well-maintained facility can instill confidence that the attention they receive will be quality care. In a competitive senior living market where a poor inspection report or resident review can mean losing prospects, this can be an important differentiator. In addition, regular, thorough cleaning reduces health and safety risks and makes the environment comfortable and welcoming. That’s why proper training for assisted living housekeeping staff is critical to delivering exceptional service.

First (and second, third, fourth…) impressions

As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Public areas, such as lobbies, hallways, dining rooms, and fitness and activity centers, are not only hubs for staff and resident activity but the first place that visitors, including prospective residents and their families, encounter in an assisted living community. It’s up to housekeeping staff to make sure these areas are clean and safe. In addition, resident rooms must also be maintained with routine cleaning, disinfecting, vacuuming, and dusting.

Health

Housekeeping staff are heroes of assisted living communities, helping to prevent the spread of seasonal influenza and other infectious diseases. With training in effective environmental cleaning procedures, housekeeping reduces potential hazards to keep residents, staff, and guests healthy. This includes proper use of disinfectants and sanitation best practices, such as wearing a new pair of gloves in each resident’s apartment.

Safety

Of course, safety is of the utmost importance for an assisted living community. Housekeeping staff must be sufficiently trained to recognize potential risks and take appropriate actions. For instance, an obstructed hallway is a trip and fall hazard, so care must be taken to keep the hallway clear from cleaning supplies. A wet floor sign is another simple strategy used to help prevent slips.

Quality of life

“In ordinary and extraordinary times, the features of assisted living exerting the greatest impact on residents’ satisfaction include the quality of their daily life, their relationships, their level of control, and the degree to which they feel at home, all of which are foundational to person-centered care,” according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.

Housekeeping staff play a vital role in person-centered care by creating a home-like environment and building close connections with residents through daily interactions. Good communication skills, such as remembering residents’ names and listening with empathy, are therefore vital, as is an understanding of the aging process and assisted living care in general.

Training for assisted living housekeeping staff goes beyond outlining cleaning procedures. That’s why SeniorLivingU’s Housekeeping in Assisted Living Manual covers the principles of assisted living, the importance of housekeeping’s role in observing and reporting resident changes or safety concerns, and communication skills, too. The manual includes an immediate, unlimited download of a check your understanding assessment, answer key and certificate template, making it easy and inexpensive for ongoing training for assisted living staff.

Experts in training for assisted living communities

Designed by senior living experts, SeniorLivingU provides convenient education for all levels of assisted living staff. Our products cover a wide range of topics in formats designed to meet your needs (manuals, DVDs, and online learning through the Anytime Learning Portal.)

To learn more, visit our FAQ page or contact us today.