Housekeeping Management is often undervalued as a service in India especially in Senior Citizen Care Homes. Though housekeeping is an important component in the overall service delivery of Eldercare yet somehow we tend to overlook it’s importance.
Cleanliness & hygiene form an integral part of facilities management which requires proper training & documented standards. In order to maintain good health and well-being of residents & staff, it is necessary that each staff member is sensitised in good housekeeping practices.
Basic boarding & lodging which were once the norm in traditional Aged Care Homes are no longer the differentiating factors. In today’s time, Senior Living projects are well planned, professionally managed and offer holistic care.
Since there is very limited training material on housekeeping for Senior Citizen Care Homes in India hence it is important that National level standards & guidelines needs to be drafted for the development of the sector.
National Guidelines can serve as reference guide so that Care Homes can develop their own cleanliness and safety standards w.r.t Housekeeping Management.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India published the “National Guidelines for Clean Hospitals” in 2015. Though the guidelines are focused on hospital settings yet some parts of it can be relevant for Elderly Care Homes.
Cleaning a floor or community areas of a Care Home are equally important as cooking food or giving medicines. A slippery floor can lead to falls amongst senior residents whereas undercooked vegetables or expired medicines could lead to infections.
It is of outmost importance that Elderly Care facilities should implement best practices from across the globe. If Senior Living in India is to be seen at par with International Standards then National and State level authorities need to take a proactive approach.
Resource document, Scottish Health Facilities Note about “Safe Management of the Care Environment, Cleaning Specification for Older People and Adult Care Homes” (May 2021) by National Services Scotland is a well drafted guide which should be helpful for Care Home operators.
The document can be accessed here https://www.nss.nhs.scot/ or can be downloaded here (Housekeeping Management in Elderly Care Homes or can be viewed below