How Have Assisted Living Facilities Changed During the Pandemic?

The pandemic has changed the way people work and play. It’s prompted companies to shift to remote working environments and encouraged us to get creative in the way we socialize. Another change that is taking place in response to COVID, is the design of assisted living facilities.?

The isolating effects of the pandemic resulted in higher instances of mental and physical health problems in patients otherwise unaffected by the actual virus. This prompted residential facility administration and designers to go back to the drawing board.??

Assisted Living Facility Improvements: Responding To COVID-19?

An assisted living facility, by nature, is focused on caring for patients who need varying levels of medical and personal care assistance. So, objectives have always been centered around creating home-like spaces that were designed for safety and promoting independence. In the wake of the pandemic, though, we discovered that the current set up of many assisted living facilities wasn't conducive to optimal health and wellness for the residents it served.??

The pandemic taught us that things needed to change. Fresh design updates that focus on improving health and reducing the spread of disease needed to take priority. While not every facility has the budget to do full overhauls, there are several cost and time-efficient options that can improve living conditions. A few strategies that many assisted living facilities can implement now that will likely provide long term results are listed below.

1: Technology Upgrades

Investments in technology are almost always a wise decision. COVID taught us that reliable technology is a must-have. This is especially true for residents in an assisted living facility. The pandemic exposed weaknesses in internet infrastructure and WiFi connectivity across residential facilities. This isolated people from the outside world. The results were mental health issues like loneliness and depression. These things had the power to affect physical health if left unaddressed.?

Strong and reliable internet access is the best and safest way to communicate with friends and family. It gives residents? access to participate in activities when in-person participation is not an option. Access to reliable tech also ensures that residents can utilize telemedicine and other online platforms to treat both physical and mental health issues. Many assisted living administrators are upgrading their technology to increase bandwidth and enhance internet service for its residents.??

2: Improved Air Quality?

COVID-19 is primarily an airborne disease. This means that the virus is commonly transmitted through particles that can remain in the air even after the infected person has passed. Because of this, many facilities are creating initiatives to improve their indoor air quality. Installing filtration systems, using air purifiers, and circulating air consistently, can improve air quality and reduce the spread of COVID. It can also help alleviate symptoms of other breathing conditions. Improving the quality of air inside a facility is linked to reduced symptoms in people with pulmonary-related chronic health conditions.? In addition, the effects of COVID on pulmonary conditions such as asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis can be serious. So, improving air quality offers many added benefits for residents? all around.??

3: Functional Outdoor Space??

Spending time outside is linked to a myriad of health benefits— physically and mentally. COVID revealed that many facilities were in need of better outdoor spaces to allow residents to participate in socially distant activities while enjoying the benefits of being in the fresh air. Safety and comfort are important factors when creating or improving upon outdoor community spaces. Many facilities are incorporating things like fenced-in outdoor communal spaces and covered or shaded areas where residents can gather with friends or family. Things like heat lamps or outdoor fireplaces allow for residents to enjoy some level of outdoor activity all year long.?

Assisted Facility Living Is Getting An Overhaul?

In the wake of the pandemic, assisted living facilities are putting their best foot forward in transforming spaces to promote better health and wellness. For many residents, assisted facility living conditions are expected to improve, if they haven’t already. The short and long term goals of the different residence facilities will vary. One thing that is likely to remain a common goal is instituting change to keep their residents safe and connected in the event of another outbreak.??

If you are a personal care aide looking to be connected with a great opportunity in an assisted living facility, CynaMed can help.?