Do nursing homes do the patients laundry? What you should know about care facility services

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), skilled nursing facilities must provide a range of services that support resident care, often including laundry. Therefore, the simple answer to, “Do nursing homes do the patients laundry?” is typically yes, but the process and limitations are important to understand.

Quick Summary

Yes, most nursing homes provide laundry services for residents, but there are important variations and regulations. The service often covers personal clothing and linens, following strict hygiene protocols. Delicate items may require family handling, so it is crucial to understand the facility's specific policies.

Key Points

• Service is standard: Most skilled nursing facilities provide laundry services for residents' personal clothing and linens.

• Hygiene is a priority: Facilities follow strict federal and CDC guidelines for sanitation, using industrial equipment and high-temperature washes.

• Labeling is essential: All personal items must be labeled to prevent them from being lost or mixed up with other residents' clothes.

• Delicate items may be excluded: Industrial washing can be harsh on fabrics. Families should handle delicate or dry-clean-only garments separately.

• Costs can vary: The service might be included in the monthly fee, but families should confirm this and ask about potential extra charges for special services.

• Communication is key: Discussing clothing types, labeling methods, and specific needs with facility staff helps ensure a smooth process.

Understanding the Standard Laundry Process

In a skilled nursing facility, laundry is a critical component of infection control and resident comfort. Facilities manage a high volume of laundry, including bed linens, towels, and residents' personal clothing. To handle this efficiently and safely, nursing homes follow strict protocols, often guided by federal regulations from bodies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and CMS.

How personal items are handled

1. Collection: Soiled laundry is collected from resident rooms on a regular schedule, often using covered hampers or designated bags to prevent cross-contamination.
2. Transport: Laundry is transported to an on-site or off-site commercial laundry facility in a way that keeps soiled and clean items separate.
3. Sorting: Items are sorted by type (e.g., linens vs. personal clothing) and wash cycle needs. Personal clothing is typically washed separately from facility linens to prevent mix-ups.
4. Washing: Industrial-grade machines use high-temperature water and potent detergents to thoroughly sanitize items and kill germs. This is different from a delicate home washing machine cycle.
5. Drying and Folding: After drying, staff fold items and return them to the residents. The process is designed for efficiency and hygiene, which means clothing may not receive special treatment.

Important Considerations for Personal Clothing

While nursing home laundry services are a convenience, families should be aware of a few key considerations to ensure their loved one's belongings are protected and cared for properly.

Proper clothing selection

Due to the demanding industrial wash cycles, some clothing types are not suitable for nursing home laundry. It is recommended to stick to durable, machine-washable fabrics. Items like delicate silks, wool sweaters, or dry-clean-only garments should be laundered separately by family members to avoid damage.

The necessity of labeling

With hundreds of residents' items being laundered, proper labeling is the most effective way to prevent lost or swapped clothing. Most facilities require that all personal items be clearly marked with the resident's name. Options include permanent fabric markers, iron-on labels, or sew-on labels. It is wise to use a last name and not a room number, as residents' rooms can change.

How to handle special items

• Dry-clean-only: Take these items home to a professional dry cleaner.
• Hand-washables: Delicate items should be washed by hand or by family members.
• Sentimental garments: Consider keeping items of high sentimental value at home or using them only for specific, supervised events to ensure they are not lost or damaged.

A Comparison of Nursing Home vs. Family Laundry

Feature	Nursing Home Laundry Service	Family-Handled Laundry
Convenience	Highly convenient for residents and families.	Requires time and effort from family caregivers.
Process	Industrial, high-temperature, large-volume washing and drying.	Can be customized for specific items and fabrics.
Hygiene	Follows strict federal guidelines to ensure sanitation.	Standard home practices, not industrial-grade sanitation.
Risk of Loss	Small risk of lost or mixed-up items, though minimized by labeling.	Extremely low risk of loss, as items are managed directly.
Clothing Care	Can cause wear and tear on delicate fabrics over time.	Preserves delicate clothing better.

Paying for Laundry Services

The cost of laundry services can vary between facilities. When touring nursing homes, families should inquire about how these services are billed.

• Included Services: Many facilities include laundry as part of the base monthly rate. This typically covers all routine laundry, including personal clothing and linens.
• Extra Fees: Some facilities might charge an additional fee for personal laundry, though laundry for linens and towels is standard. Valet services for dry cleaning are almost always an extra cost.

Infection Control Practices and Regulations

In healthcare environments, effective infection control is paramount. Laundry practices are a key part of this effort. The CDC provides specific guidelines that facilities must follow to minimize the risk of spreading infections through contaminated textiles.

• Segregation: Laundry rooms and processes are designed to keep soiled and clean linens strictly separate. Some modern facilities use specialized washer-extractors with separate loading and unloading doors.
• Temperature: Industrial washing machines operate at temperatures and cycles specified for germ killing. This often involves hot water or chemical additives like bleach.
• Staff Training: All staff who handle laundry receive training on proper handling techniques, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), to prevent the spread of pathogens.

For more detailed information on specific health and safety guidelines for healthcare facilities, families can consult the CDC Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities.

Proactive Steps for Families

To ensure a smooth experience with nursing home laundry, families can take several proactive steps:

• Pack Wisely: Choose durable, machine-washable clothing that can withstand industrial washing.
• Label Everything: Clearly label all items, from socks to sweaters, with the resident's name.
• Communicate: Discuss any specific concerns or requirements with the facility's staff, particularly regarding very specific items or allergies to detergents.
• Manage Delicates: Handle delicate items, dry-cleaning, or special-care clothes yourself to prevent damage.
• Create an Inventory: Maintain a list of your loved one's belongings to help track items over time.

Conclusion

In summary, yes, nursing homes provide laundry services as a standard part of their care. This service, while convenient and necessary for maintaining a hygienic environment, operates on an industrial scale that differs from home laundering. By understanding the process, communicating with staff, and taking proactive steps like proper labeling and clothing selection, families can ensure their loved one's laundry needs are met effectively and without unnecessary complications. It is a service that plays a crucial role in the overall health, dignity, and comfort of residents in long-term care settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do nursing homes do the patients laundry?

Yes, most nursing homes provide laundry services for their residents as a standard part of the care package. This service includes washing, drying, and folding both personal clothing and facility linens, following strict health and safety protocols.

Is laundry service included in the monthly nursing home fee?

It depends on the facility. In many nursing homes, basic laundry service is included in the base monthly rate. However, some may charge extra for personal laundry or for special services like dry cleaning. Always confirm the cost structure with the facility's admissions office.

What kind of clothing is best for a nursing home resident?

For residents using the facility's laundry service, it's best to provide durable, machine-washable clothing made from fabrics like cotton and polyester that can withstand frequent industrial washing and high-temperature drying. Avoid delicate or dry-clean-only items.

How often is laundry done in a nursing home?

Laundry schedules vary by facility and by resident needs. Typically, personal laundry is collected and processed once or twice a week. Linens and towels are usually laundered more frequently to maintain hygiene.

Can family members do a resident's laundry themselves?

Yes, family members can usually handle a resident's laundry if they prefer. This is often recommended for delicate clothing or items with high sentimental value. It's best to coordinate this with the facility's staff to ensure there is no confusion.

What happens if a piece of clothing gets lost?

To minimize lost items, facilities require that all personal clothing be clearly labeled with the resident's name. If an item does go missing, staff should be notified immediately. Having an updated inventory of personal belongings can be helpful in these situations.

How do nursing homes prevent infection when doing laundry?

Nursing homes follow strict infection control guidelines set by organizations like the CDC. This involves separating soiled and clean linens, using high-temperature washing and disinfecting chemicals, and training staff on proper handling procedures to prevent cross-contamination.

Are personal items, like hats and scarves, included in the laundry service?

Typically, yes. If they are clearly labeled, most machine-washable personal items like hats, scarves, and socks are included. However, delicate or uniquely made items should be handled by the family.