Environmental services is a critical part of every industry and business. In some ways, it’s part of our homes, too. Senior living is no exception. In fact, environmental services plays an important role in every senior living community. Some of their roles in senior living may even surprise you.
What is Environmental Services?
Many healthcare settings have environmental services teams. Of course senior living is no exception. Previously, these teams were referred to as housekeeping or custodial. The name was changed for many reasons. First, environmental services recognizes the variety of work they do. Second, it reflects how important their work is.
In many cases, environmental services is considered mission critical. Healthcare facilities cannot operate without them. Ultimately, environmental services teams are responsible for creating environments that are clean and safe for everyone. Their work frequently includes disinfecting surfaces, cleaning floors, and trash removal, all of which support a healthy environment.
4 Roles of Environmental Services in Senior Living
Environmental services are also mission critical in senior living, too. They serve many functions that keep facilities clean and safe. However, senior living communities are different. Sometimes, they’re similar to healthcare facilities. For example, with skilled nursing care and short-term rehab. On the other hand, like with independent and assisted living, it’s more like a hotel than a hospital.
Yet, one thing stands out as unique for senior living. Every day they are working in residents’ homes. These are just four roles of environmental services in senior living.
1. Keep the community clean
Generally, the main role of environmental services in senior living is keeping the community clean. Specifically, it starts with common spaces throughout the community. Environmental services keeps them clean for everyone to enjoy. But it goes a lot further than that. In addition, in senior living, these teams also help keep residents’ homes clean. Sometimes, we take for granted how easy it is to run the vacuum or mop the floors. Yet, these things commonly become more difficult as we age. Thankfully, in senior living, environmental services teams often take care of these household chores for residents.
2. Ensure safety
Cleaning goes beyond just the way a space looks or feels. It’s also important for safety. As a result, environmental services teams have a responsibility to keep residents safe. This includes simple acts like cleaning up spills and keeping walkways clear. As a result, they go a long way to preventing falls and making the community accessible for all residents.
3. Prevent infection
In a hospital or healthcare facility, environmental services teams are also responsible for infection prevention. The same is true in senior living. Their responsibility goes beyond keeping surfaces clean. They’re also responsible for making sure everything is disinfected. Even more, they’re fighting germs that can lead to unnecessary illnesses. So, they must have a thorough understanding of chemical safety and infection prevention protocols.
4. Form relationships
Equally important, environmental services teams in senior living form relationships with residents. In hospitals and other healthcare settings, patients are often different from one day to the next. However, in senior living, environmental services teams work with the same residents, in their homes, day in and day out. So, they have a unique opportunity to get to know residents. Additionally, they’re often able to notice changes with residents and can report them to clinical teams.
Environmental Services at The Ohio Masonic Communities
Environmental services is especially important to the mission at The Ohio Masonic Communities. Our environmental services team members work hard. They keep our communities clean and help our residents thrive. Ultimately, our team members use the same care and attention they would in their own homes.
Benefits of Joining The Ohio Masonic Communities
At The Ohio Masonic Communities, we’re grateful for our environmental services team members. We’re proud of their dedication to our mission and residents. That’s why it’s important for us to take care of our team the same way they care for our residents.
We want our teams to have the benefits and tools they need. That’s why we offer $5,000 per year in tuition assistance. The process is simple. We pay the school up front, before classes even begin. Plus, as a nonprofit, our employees can be eligible for student loan forgiveness under Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Are you interested in environmental services in senior living? Check out current job opportunities at each of our campuses!
Western Reserve Masonic Community
Ready to learn more about the role of environmental services at The Ohio Masonic Communities? Or how you can join our team? We’d love to hear from you! Give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here. You can also browse our current job openings here. We have three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio.