How Kwalu Furniture Supports Infection Prevention and Safeguards against Cross-Contamination in Senior Living Communities

While COVID-19 seems to have popped up, the fact is pandemics are not new. There have been virulent strains of plague, smallpox, yellow fever and multiple Flu epidemics, SARS and COVID-19. After we win the fight against this pandemic, it is important to note, there will be more. Are we ready? Our level of preparedness will dictate how quickly an infectious disease will spread. A high level of preparedness could keep potential pandemics from gaining a foothold.

As pandemics start to become increasingly more frequent, it is important that the immunocompromised are protected. A pandemic is challenging for all, and for senior living residents suffering from dementia diseases and those who care for them, the situation becomes potentially more difficult. Dementia does not increase the risk of COVID-19 however, the advanced age of most with dementia and the behaviors that accompany dementia diseases may. Consider that those suffering dementia diseases may very likely forget what they need to know in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as frequent hand washing and social distancing. It is extremely important to pay special attention to seniors in long-term care and the surfaces they encounter multiple times every day. Furniture surfaces in senior living should be easily cleaned and disinfected, Kwalu surfaces are.

Cleaning is the beginning of care

Monitoring is at an all-time high at senior living communities. Most states have closed these locations to all outside visitation. This means, the residents can’t see their families and are relying more on their caregivers. A benefit, so to speak, is this actually reduces the amount of stimulation for the resident and creates less distraction for those on the front lines of care for these seniors. More than 40% of those in senior living communities have some form of Alzheimer’s or other dementia. Due to the nature of the coronavirus and the fact that it can spread from asymptomatic people and from person-to-surface-to-person, there cannot be an acceptable amount of cleaning hands and cleaning surfaces. Those who suffer dementias require more mobility assistance, more help with eating and drinking and those activities require hands and surfaces.

Caregivers are on the senior living front lines

Care is the first part of Caregivers. For their safety and that of the residents, today the level of care is elevated. The Centers for Disease Control has issued guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting. They stress surfaces that are nonporous should be cleaned first with soap and water prior to disinfection. The Environmental Protection Agency has approved disinfectants for use against the virus. The CDC also suggests washing clothes with the warmest water setting available. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds frequently. Remember, Alzheimer’s and other dementias affect the memories of residents. They need caregivers to remember for them.

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