2020 was a dark year for long-term care facilities. Over a third of American deaths occurred in nursing homes. In some states, that figure was over 50%.
The pandemic exposed failures in the system; in the chaos wrought by COVID-19, healthy residents were forced to share rooms with those who’d tested positive, banning visits from family failed to protect vulnerable residents, and some nursing home workers are even refusing to get the vaccine.
Given this information, it’s no surprise 1 in 2 Americans feel more negatively towards nursing homes than they did the year prior.
Between falling occupancy, negative reviews, and rising costs, nursing homes are in serious danger. 65% of facilities are operating at a loss while 25% more operate with a margin below 3%.
If nothing is done, many may close in the next few years. Unfortunately, demand will remain long after these facilities are gone. 70% of seniors will need long-term care at some point, and 3 in 4 adults have changed how they think about the future.
40% are saving up for a future where they need nursing homes. Infection control is key to quality care, and it will be long after the pandemic ends.
The cleanliness of a nursing home is the #3 concern of potential new residents, after staff attitude and responsiveness. If nursing homes adopt something as simple as a multi-surface cleaner and consistently use it, they may reduce healthcare-associated infections by as much as 85%.
That doesn’t only stop coronavirus, but respiratory infections and sepsis as well, both of which are often found in nursing homes.
Nursing homes are important fixtures for an aging population, but they have a long way to go before they regain the public’s trust. To clean up their reputation, the first step is to clean all surfaces.