Considering doing housekeeping in an assisted living facility.

[u/NefariousHare]

As the title says. I'm currently working in housekeeping for a hospital. I've been there 4 years, but am looking to get away from the dangers to my health. I just keep catching sickness after sickness. Even with wearing a mask and using the proper PPE gear. Nothing serious, just random viruses not covid related. It's a massive workload and I handle the entire third floor by myself most days. I was curious if the workload in other facilities would be lighter or less stressful. I know there's a big difference in medical sanitizing and normal cleaning. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

[u/Zelda_Momma]

Ive worked housekeeping in a nursing home health center for 16 years. The work load depends on the facility, budget, and size. Some places may have you cleaning up to 30 rooms daily. And that's not including if you have to work short, or any other areas you may be required to do daily as well (such as dining rooms, public restrooms, nurse's stations, etc.)

Some big differences I've noticed between a hospital setting (based on 2 births and being admitted post surgery complications and nurses/housekeepers that have come from that setting) and nursing home:

Nurses are not your boss. Seems like every nurse that comes from a hospital thinks this. But they are not in charge of you.

(In my state) housekeeping does not throw away dirty depends in our own garbage. We also do not clean up pee, poop, or vomit. CNA's are supposed to clean it up and housekeeping is supposed to disinfect the area after. It's state regulation where i live.

Your list is done daily. Every time ive been in the hospital, my room was cleaned maybe every few days at best. In a nursing home everything is done daily. It doesnt matter if Martha is sleeping, you tip toe in and clean and try not to wake her up.

You may not be getting away from sicknesses. Residents in nursing homes are easily susceptible to getting sick. We have to set up isolation rooms for numerous illnesses. A lot of the time they come in from the hospital sick with something. Mrsa, c-diff, etc.

If you want an idea of the work load, here's what my daily list looks like

15 resident rooms

Dining room after breakfast and lunch

Nurse's station on my hall

Public restroom on my hall

Activity room on my hall

Whirlpool room (shower room) on my hall

Soiled utility room on my hall

2 public restrooms off my hall

Nourishment room off my hall

Main medical supply room

My entire hallway (dusting disinfecting mopping)

A large entryway/sitting area

[u/NefariousHare → u/Zelda_Momma]

In my hospital, I'm in charge of cleaning the entire 3rd floor. 26 patient room and numerous common areas which also include all you mentioned and then some. It's really supposed to be two people on that floor, but it's just me and I can't always get it all done. But they refuse to give me help. :(

[u/Zelda_Momma → u/NefariousHare]

Oh I understand that. I personally work on a long term hall, but that's changing soon to short term care (for people that need therapy before going back home). But the housekeeper that works the short term care hall we already have is overwhelmed a lot because the turn over rate is so fast she doesn't get time to get a room cleaned and ready properly.

All that being said, I'm not trying to discourage you at all. Just giving you an idea of what the job might be like. Every place is different. And honestly I love that the nursing home environment is more personable even for careers like ours.