The Impact of Quality Housekeeping and Laundry Services on Care Home Residents' Wellbeing
- marketingtovc
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Here at The Old Vicarage in Allithwaite, we are truly fortunate to have two members of the team who are so incredibly vital in enabling us to provide a complete whole person-centred level of care, for our residents. They are Christine, our Housekeeper (also PAT tester, plus organiser), and Carol, who oversees the laundry service, and effortlessly manages the ironing of shirts. They are invaluable members of our team
WHY A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING & LAUNDRY SERVICE MATTER?
This is a very good question, and is worth exploring. So, let's have a look at some of the reasons as to why we appreciate Christine and Carol.
A clean and orderly care home is beneficial for the health and psychology of our residents, and those who attend our Day Care Service, as well as visiting family members.
Daily cleaning routines comply with health and safety regulations. They help prevent the cross-contamination of bacteria, a crucial aspect of care. Did you know that quality healthcare protocols can reduce infection rates by up to 30% or more?
Although all staff contribute towards maintaining a clean environment, the main cleaning duty is that of the housekeeper (Christine), and therefore she enables the care team to fulfil their duty of care for all residents and those attending Day Care.
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HOUSEKEEPING
The connection between a clean house and well-being was promoted by Isabella Beeton in her book Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management (1861).
Evidence of the importance of cleaning the home can be traced as far back as 3000 years BC. An archaeological dig in West Asia uncovered clay tablets with instructions about sanitation and the need for cleanliness to maintain health.
Interestingly, the use of lavender for disinfection and calming effects, as seen in French hospitals during World War One, highlights the long-standing connection between cleanliness and well-being.
THE JOY OF PROFESSIONALLY LAUNDERED CLOTHES
The days of scrubbing clothes on a Dolly Board and wringing them out with a Mangle are long gone. Thankfully, modern washing machines and dryers have made this task much easier, although it remains quite a time-intensive task.
Laundering clothes and bedding, also requires an extensive knowledge base regarding the many wash cycles required for multiple types of fabrics. How many times have you washed a top only to find it is perhaps more suitable in size for a doll to wear? Or, everything in the wash has turned orange!
Carol, our Laundry Assistant, expertly manages residents' clothing, ensuring all items are professionally washed and ironed, thereby promoting good grooming. We are sure many of you would appreciate such a service, especially those who struggle with ironing!
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF LAUNDRY
In 1598, the word 'mangle' first appeared in The Oxford English Dictionary and referenced John Florio who described it as "a kind of press to press buckram...".
Did you know that the addition of blue colouring to the wash water for whites, has been part of the laundry cycle for many centuries? A famous blue colouring was 'Dolly Blue' which was manufactured at Backbarrow; many locals of a certain age, may remember the River Leven was once very blue indeed!
Ironing originated in China during the first century BC.
A COMPLETE CARE PROVISION
Christine and Carol are dedicated to the 'whole person-centred' ethos of The Old Vicarage Allithwaite. Care comes in many forms and good housekeeping and grooming instils a sense of well-being, and is a salute to dignity.
Oh yes! Christine and Carol enjoy talking, which makes for engaging conversations with our residents and is another positive aspect of the fantastic service they provide.
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