How To Ensure Clean Air In Nursing Homes And Why It is Important

Air quality is a major concern not just in America but across the globe, and it's a well established fact that clean air is important for a healthy and happy lifestyle. For those who manage a senior-care facility or a nursing home, maintaining air quality for the elderly people in their facility with the rising environmental pollution must be a great concern. In this article, we will deconstruct why it can not be overlooked and, as a facility manager, what you can do to ensure the healthy air quality in your nursing home.

Respiratory Health and Seniors

Regardless of age, lung health is a concern for everyone. But did you know that the respiratory systems of elderly individuals are comparatively more vulnerable to the potential risks posed by poor air quality? In fact, according to a report by Everyday Health, respiratory issues are the third-largest cause of death among the elderly. Respiratory issues can take a huge toll on the overall life of individuals, such as limiting their daily activity, ability to work, and social engagement.

Apart from these, other respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies are also prominent in the elderly if they are exposed to compromised air for longer periods. Allergies can also create complications related to medications as well.

Nursing Home Indoor Air

Although most facilities are free of pollen, yet the risk of airborne allergens such as mold spores, cleaning chemicals, pet dander, and fumes is always present, which can irritate the lungs and trigger allergic reactions. This is why controlling particulate matter should be a concern for nursing homes.

How To Improving Air Quality In Nursing Homes

Here are some key steps you can implement in your facility to improve air quality.

• Invest In An Air Purifier
  Investing in an air purifier is an excellent way to remove microparticles such as dust and pollen. These appliances can trap and remove almost 100% of pollutants that are impossible to clean otherwise. Having air purifiers in your facility is very helpful, particularly during the peak hay fever season from May to July.
• Add Indoor Plants
  Indoor plants are not just good for improving the air quality but also improve the overall aesthetics of the space. They are excellent supplements to an air purifier, as they capture many of the particulates that HEPA filters don't. Together, indoor plants and air purifiers are a top-notch air-purification team.
• Ensure Proper Ventilation
  Improve ventilation and air circulation in your nursing home with the use of fans, HVAC systems, and open windows. This will minimize the chances of high concentrations of specific pollutants.
• Replace HVAC Filters Regularly
  Filters in furnaces and air conditioners do not essentially improve the air in the facility, but these advanced filters trap large particles of dust and debris. However, cleaning air plays a key role in avoiding most airborne allergens.
• Clean Your Air Ducts
  If air ducts in your facility are inappropriately installed or insufficiently maintained, they can distribute contaminants through rooms with the air. This can compromise the overall air quality. Hire a professional HVAC technician to ensure your ducts are circulating fresh, clean air.
• Keep Rugs And Carpets Clean
  Rugs and carpets act as air filters by trapping dust and other particles in their many fibers. This plays a vital role in increasing the comfort of your facility and ensuring improved air quality. To keep leveraging them to the fullest, clean them weekly.
• Control Humidity
  Humid and moist conditions promote the growth of mold and mildew that can trigger respiratory issues like asthma and allergies. This is a major issue, especially in hot summer months, because of increased humidity levels in the air. Using a dehumidifier in your nursing home can reduce humidity and curb the growth of irritating molds. These devices maintain consistent humidity levels and create comfortable living conditions in your facility.
• Avoid Air Fresheners
  Most air fresheners release potentially hazardous pollutants in indoor air, such as acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylenes. These can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and cause headaches and nausea. This is why you should avoid these and use natural air fresheners instead.

Taking these measures are some of the most effective steps to ensure clean air for your nursing home and bring better health and comfort for all of your residents.

Need Help With Your Nursing Home/Senior-Care Facility?

We hope you found this blog helpful and following these practices helped you reduce indoor air pollution in your nursing home or senior-care facility. Also, if you are a facility manager looking for preventative maintenance to keep your facility pure and breathable for your elderly residents, contact ProServices Supply. We offer a range of professional HVAC services that include AC filter replacement, air duct cleaning, and more to help keep your facility's indoor air clean. Schedule an appointment today and speak with one of our HVAC experts to discuss the action plan for your facility. You can also check out our extensive range of affordable Humidifiers, HVAC Filters, Dehumidifiers, and Air purifiers from our online store.