Dirty brown carpet with mold

Contributed by Whittaker

Clean carpet matters in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, according to a new survey.

Conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Whittaker from Sept. 9 to 11 among 2,059 U.S. adults, the survey found that 54 percent of Americans would question the quality of care a long-term care facility offers after seeing dirty carpet at the facility.

“Because they are home to older Americans, including some with compromised immune systems, long-term care facilities should prioritize cleanliness from the ground up,” says Joe Bshero, director of Technical Services at Whittaker. “Proper carpet care is essential, as it has a positive impact on cleanliness and the way a facility is perceived not just by residents and employees, but the families that visit and have high expectations of the care their loved ones receive.”

The survey also revealed additional American actions, perceptions and assumptions that would result from seeing dirty carpet in a long-term care facility, including:

- More than half would complain to management 

- Forty-eight percent would question the facility’s commitment to resident and staff health

- Nearly half would assume the facility is not properly cleaned 

- Forty-four percent would consider an alternative facility for themselves or a family member to reside in

- Two in five would tell friends, family or other residents about the lack of cleanliness 

- Nearly a third would complain to the local Department of Public Health 

- Nearly one in five would write a negative review online

Older Americans (those 65+) are also more likely than their younger counterparts to be influenced by dirty carpet, with 77 percent noting they would complain to management or their local department of public health vs. 57 percent of those ages 18-64. Sixty-four percent of older Americans would question the quality of care the facility offers vs. 43 percent of those age 18-44, and nearly three in five of those 65 and older would consider an alternative facility for themselves or a family member to reside in vs. 36 percent of those age 18-64.

“The novel coronavirus pandemic has put added pressure on long-term care facilities to keep residents safe, healthy and happy,” says Bshero. “Facility managers should view carpet care as a necessary strategy for removing unwanted soils, keeping flooring looking like-new and upholding brand reputation.”