Assisted Living Facilities: Sanitation and Food Safety

Sanitation is something that might not be at the top of your checklist when you are considering an assisted living facility for you, or perhaps a loved one. Usually the items that receive the most attention are amenities, level of care, and cost. I would venture to guess that sanitation and food safety are only an after thought for most people going through the process of choosing a facility. For those already living in a facility, sanitation is most likely not ever talked about unless there is an obvious problem.

Although is is not an epidemic, problems with sanitation and food safety do occur in the assisted living world, and when they do, they can be quite serious. We were reading a news story today about an assisted living facility in Oregon that was cited for having unsanitary kitchen conditions and multiple other code violations. There is suspicion that this facility and the owners are having financial difficulties.

One might assume that assisted living facilities are carefully regulated when it comes to sanitation and food safety, just as nursing homes are. However, this is not the case. Unlike nursing homes, there are no federal quality standards for assisted living facilities, only a state agency that performs health and safety inspections.

The dining model of many assisted living homes and facilities is often times much different than that of restaurants or nursing homes. Residents may have a choice of eating in common areas, or having their meal brought to their room or apartment, making the meal travel farther for delivery, adding to the inherent sanitation risks. More support personnel may be needed for the entire food service process in an assisted living facility than you might find in a normal dining room or situation. This also adds to the amount of possible contact between humans and the food served. Again, all of this happens in an environment of heightened vulnerability.

Residents of assisted living facilities are many times much more susceptible to bacteria, germs or illness due to their age, and compromised immune systems due to other illnesses or conditions that they may have.

Should we as family members and concerned citizens trust that assisted living facilities will be regulated by the appropriate state agencies frequently or thoroughly? Probably not, since often times these agencies or inspectors will go as far as announcing when they will be visiting, giving the facility a 'heads up' to clean up their act. This may not happen every time, but state agencies do not usually visit facilities frequently enough to really keep the standards in place. It is then up to each facility to monitor themselves, and provide a safe and sanitary environment. I don't think it is unreasonable for a family member or a potential resident to ask to see the kitchen and dining areas unannounced. Perhaps more involvement from the family level will help keep facilities on their toes.

Asking about staffing and staff-training is also important. How are the staff in each facility trained? Does the facility have and employ a 'Standard Operating Procedures" manual? Are there adequate facilities for staff to wash their hands, and are these facilities stocked with soap and towels? Being involved and aware of the operation and standards of "your" facility will go a long way in making sure that remains a safe and sanitary environment for you or your loved one.

Is it a stretch to suggest that the standards set for sanitation in any facility would likely be a mirror image for the standards set for the rest of the facility's operations, including the care provided, the management, upkeep, and overall level of service?

Who to contact if you are concerned about the sanitation of an assisted living facility (generally):
Human Services Licensing Department or your State Health Department

Resources:
The Free Library
Centers of Disease Control

- by the staff at Assisted Living Directory