Enhancing Health and Well-Being: Aged Care Cleaning Procedures

12 Oct

Clean and hygienic facilities are essential for the health and well-being of aged care residents. Cleaning procedures in aged care must be thorough and effective in order to remove dirt, grime, and pathogens from all surfaces. This helps to reduce the risk of infection and other health problems for residents.

Aged care facilities should have a comprehensive cleaning plan in place that covers all areas of the facility, including resident rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, common areas, and outdoor spaces. The cleaning plan should be based on the specific needs of the facility and its residents.

General cleaning procedures

The following general cleaning procedures should be followed in all aged care facilities:

Clean all surfaces daily. This includes surfaces such as floors, countertops, tables, chairs, and doorknobs.
Use disinfectant cleaner on all high-touch surfaces. High-touch surfaces are surfaces that are frequently touched by people, such as doorknobs, light switches, and faucet handles.
Clean and disinfect all bathrooms daily. This includes cleaning the toilet, sink, shower, and bathtub.
Clean and disinfect all kitchens daily. This includes cleaning the counters, stovetop, oven, and refrigerator.
Clean and disinfect all common areas daily. This includes areas such as the dining room, living room, and activity room.
Clean and disinfect all outdoor spaces regularly. This includes cleaning and disinfecting patios, walkways, and playgrounds.

Additional cleaning procedures

In addition to the general cleaning procedures listed above, aged care facilities should also follow the following procedures:

Clean and disinfect all resident rooms daily. This includes cleaning the bed, bedding, furniture, and floors.
Clean and disinfect all resident bathrooms daily. This includes cleaning the toilet, sink, shower, and bathtub.
Clean and disinfect all medical equipment daily. This includes wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds.
Clean and disinfect all food surfaces daily. This includes counters, tables, and chairs.
Clean and disinfect all laundry equipment daily. This includes washing machines and dryers.

Infection control

Infection control is a top priority in aged care facilities. The following infection control measures should be followed when cleaning:

Wear gloves and safety glasses when cleaning. This will protect you from cleaning chemicals and pathogens.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after cleaning.
Use clean cloths and sponges for each cleaning task.
Sanitise all cleaning equipment after each use.
Dispose of all trash and soiled linens properly.

Conclusion

Cleaning procedures in aged care are essential for the health and well-being of residents. By following the procedures outlined above, aged care facilities can help to reduce the risk of infection and other health problems for residents.

Here are some additional tips for cleaning in aged care facilities:

Use mild cleaning products. Aged care residents may be more sensitive to harsh chemicals.
Avoid using strong fragrances. Strong fragrances can irritate residents with allergies or asthma.
Be mindful of noise levels. Aged care residents may be more sensitive to noise.
Be respectful of residents' privacy. Knock before entering resident rooms and announce yourself.
Be patient and understanding. Aged care residents may need more time to get ready or complete tasks.

By following these tips, you can create a clean and safe environment for aged care residents.

Read our guide about aged care cleaning’s tips and insights.