The maintenance of residential care homes presents a unique set of challenges. This is because care homes are unlike other workplaces; not only are they places of work, but also homes for their residents. It is therefore vital that they are pleasant, safe and efficient places. The freedom and dignity of residents must be respected, and the health and safety of both employees and occupants must be sensibly and effectively managed.
Assisted-living facilities, such as care homes or nursing homes, provide an important service to residents requiring long-term care. Such facilities have a great responsibility; taking good care of those who rely on their service and assistance is a significantly difficult job. Looking after patients, with a variety of needs, is hard enough, so those who run and manage care homes should not have to worry about the maintenance of the facility.
As these facilities are residential environments, they have a unique set of needs which go beyond what is required by an average work premises. Occupants of care homes require an environment that is as comfortable as it is safe, clean and efficient. As a person ages, their eyesight often weakens, and so they require more light to see what they are doing and where they are going. Electrical maintenance of care homes will therefore involve providing adequate and comfortable lighting.
As well as this, heating installation must be adequately maintained to ensure comfortable and safe temperature levels. Ambient temperatures should minimize residents’ susceptibility to loss of body heat and risk of hypothermia or susceptibility to respiratory ailments and colds. Creating a comfortable environment will help contribute to a homey feeling for residents, as well as improving the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of many.
Besides effective building and fabric maintenance, statutory compliance is another area of importance for care homes. Good management of health and safety does not just happen, it requires a sustained and systematic approach. In order to implement key legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999, a care home can benefit from the help of a facilities management service. Outsourcing to one that offers proactive monitoring and management will help ensure compliance.
Social care is about people; not only a workforce but also the predominantly vulnerable population under their care. Employees have the right to work in a healthy and safe workplace, while residents should be looked after in an environment and manner that is safe, and takes their needs, freedoms and dignity into account.
Voltix Services are providers of facilities maintenance services for care homes and nursing homes in and around the UK, with services including heating installation and maintenance, electrical maintenance, building maintenance and statutory compliance.
Outsourcing to an effective facilities management service such as Voltix Services will prove beneficial to a care home in a number of ways. By providing the necessary and relevant expertise, ensuring compliance, and by allowing you to make significant cost-savings, your facility will be able to focus on what’s important.
We know that keeping your care home operating at the highest level of efficiency and compliance is important, not only to you but also your residents. Visit www.voltixservices.co.uk to find out more about our exceptional services and to get in touch with our highly-skilled team of experts.