Most care home managers share the same goal. They want to offer residents a safe, clean and comfortable environment that enhances their quality of life.
This can range from supporting those wanting to maintain a healthy lifestyle in their later years, to providing round-the-clock care for a loved one with respiratory problems. However, in order to improve all areas of care home environments for residents, decision makers must start discussing indoor air quality.
Respiratory illnesses are extremely common in care homes. Between October 2016 and April 2017, of 1,055 respiratory illness outbreaks reported to Public Health England, almost 80% (78.3%) occurred in care homes. More worryingly, of 34,300 excess winter deaths in the UK, over a third were caused by respiratory illnesses. Of those fatalities, over 80% (80.8%) were people aged 75 and older.
Yet, despite the majority of people in the care home industry taking non-airborne-related hygiene seriously: washing, cleaning and changing bed linens regularly, many fail to ensure their communities have access to clean, filtered, high-quality air. To safeguard residents from potentially fatal illnesses – colds, flus and respiratory illnesses – care home managers should look to invest in technology (like air purifiers) in order to get rid of airborne bacteria.
Darryl Brunt, Country Head of UK & Ireland at Fellowes AeraMax Professional, said:
“With air pollution hot on the news agenda, now is the perfect time for care home managers to assess the quality of air in their facilities. The Fellowes AeraMax Professional range of air purifiers not only cut out 99.9% of airborne contaminants, but they also remove odour and pollens, creating a safer environment for asthma sufferers and those with other long-term respiratory illnesses.”
So why is air quality so important? According to the NHS, the spreading of colds, flu viruses and respiratory illnesses is thought to be caused by two things: airborne droplets made when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by indirect contact, like bacteria left on an object or surface. Whilst, reputable care homes already take steps to prevent the spreading of viruses and infections by indirect contact, surface cleaning is only surface deep and many need to take into account the primary cause of viruses: airborne bacteria.
With Fellowes AeraMax Professional air purifiers you can remove airborne contaminants, like germs and allergens and take your facility to the next level of clean. By investing in the necessary equipment, care home managers can continue to protect residents and staff from potentially deadly diseases which are well-known to affect those with weaker immune systems.
Now is the time for care home managers take action and improve indoor air quality to prepare for the year ahead. Acquiring new technology to further protect residents now could mean they live longer, healthier lives. Find out more at: www.aeramaxpro.com/uk/
