Nursing homes are a vital resource for elderly people who are no longer able to take care of themselves. In the future, the demand for long-term care organizations will likely increase as baby boomers begin to require these services. According to data from Family Caregiver Alliance, the number of elderly people using long-term care services will reach 27 million by 2050, more than twice the number of individuals using these services in 2000. The organization also noted people older than 85 are among the fastest-growing segments of the population and are expected to reach 19 million by 2050.
Elderly care facilities are large operations that require a significant amount of disposable gloves and other materials for staff to provide service to residents, making their needs in many ways similar to day care centers. They are self-contained living facilities that require staff to accommodate every element of care, from bathing to feeding. These facilities have nurses, janitors, foodservice staff and even landscapers who require gloves. Ongoing measures to improve quality of care in these facilities could also lead to an increase in staffing requirements, leading to the need for even more gloves on hand.
Wipes
Staff that clean and bathe elderly patients also require the right materials. AmmexCare Adult Washcloths may be used to wipe patients clean. These wipes are alcohol-free with Vitamin E and aloe to make them safer for use on sensitive skin.
“Initiatives to improve quality of care could increase staffing needs.”
Exam gloves
It is also important for staff in nursing homes to wear disposable gloves for most tasks. There is risk of spreading or contracting bloodborne pathogens, so staff dealing with patient cuts or wounds should wear exam-grade gloves. Staff should avoid powdered gloves in this environment because the powder can interfere with wound closure. AMMEX Nitrile Exam Gloves are a good option for staff. These gloves also come in several different colors, which can be helpful for organizational purposes. Companies can color code gloves by size so all staff can quickly find the gloves they need.
Other glove needs
There are many moving parts in a nursing home facility. While nurses and physicians bathe and examine patients, the cafeteria workers are busy preparing meals, and janitors may be cleaning hallways, bathrooms or dining areas. All of these employees require disposable gloves as barrier protection. Cafeteria workers need to wear gloves to prevent the spread of foodborne illness, while janitorial workers need to protect themselves from cleaning chemicals and bloodborne pathogens. Landscapers also require a barrier to protect themselves from lawn and garden chemicals.
Nursing homes require disposable gloves on hand for many different applications. Talk to a representative to learn more about glove needs in elderly care facilities.