The Benefits of Painting Senior Living Facilities with Microbicidal Paint

While most adults do not get ill from every harmful bacteria or virus they are exposed to, elders with weakened immune systems do face elevated risks. As we age, disorders that compromise the immune system also become more likely and this can turn a relatively mild infection into a threat.

To make the problem even worse is that elders spend more time indoors, which makes it easier for them to be exposed to pathogens that become trapped in ventilation systems. Sick building syndrome is an example of how indoor air quality can negatively impact a facility's occupants as they only experience symptoms when present in that space. When sick building syndrome impacts a residential space, like an apartment or senior living facility, it can have far-reaching health consequences.

For this reason more senior living centers are using microbicidal coatings. Advanced microbicidal paints and primers can significantly lessen the load of pathogens in a space. They make surfaces, including walls, doors, and countertops, actively hostile to common bacteria.

Microbicidal Coatings Provide an Extra Level of Protection

Microbicidal paints can be used on a wide variety of surfaces vulnerable to increasing infection rates in a facility. A microbicidal coating actively destroys particular pathogens that come in contact with the treated substrate. Sherwin-Williams’ Paint Shield is the leading microbicidal coating, although other brands have entries in production.

Paint Shield can safeguard against several common pathogens, including:

• Staph
• MRSA
• E. coli
• VRE
• Enterobacter aerogenes

Paint Shield had to pass extremely strict laboratory testing before it could be marketed as a true microbicidal coating. Test after test, it demonstrated its performance results by destroying up to 99.9% of the target bacteria that came into contact with the treated surface. Paint Shield has been proven to remain effective for years without additional application as long as the integrity of the surface is maintained. (It is advised, however, that coatings be reapplied as part of an ongoing maintenance plan.)

Since Paint Shield reached the market in 2015, thousands of senior care facilities throughout the United States, from independent living developments to advanced care facilities that help residents manage chronic diseases of age, have used it.

Microbicidal Coatings Protect Residents and Employees from Human Error

Ideally, senior living facilities are staffed by highly trained experts who understand elders’ needs. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and many facilities are putting older people at risk of infection even when careful sanitation protocols and other measures are put in place.

It only takes one incautious gesture, a few seconds long, to potentially expose an elder to a pathogen. For example, it’s common for environmental pathogens, Staph and E. coli, to be passed on during food service. And with MRSA and VRE, both pathogens are notable for being resistant to antibiotics.

To safeguard against human error and control the spread of infection in senior living facilities, Paint Shield can be applied in many locations:

1. Food Preparation Areas

As mentioned, on-site food preparation is a high-risk area for infection. Staph and E. coli are common causes of food poisoning. E. coli can cause an infection with diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms from a very small amount of bacteria. Microbicidal coatings make it easier to keep these spaces clean.

2. Medical Storage Locations

Many facilities provide medication management as a basic part of the resident experience. Areas must be refrigerated according to the requirements of each medication and kept clean at all times. Using microbicidal coatings on counters, walls, and doors helps prevent cross-contamination.

3. Staff Break Areas

Staff members in care facilities need separate areas where they can relax, take lunch breaks, and prepare for their duties of the day. Including the use of microbicidal paint to the policies and procedures of keeping this more casual atmosphere safe benefit both staff and residents.

Take Precautionary Measure at Your Senior Care Facility Today

Each preventative step taken by staff members and administrators at a senior living facility further reduces the likelihood of infection. Microbicidal coatings represent the most powerful “passive” measure that senior living facilities can take to defend the health of residents and staff. Contact us at Alpine Paint to learn more about how microbicidal coatings can improve the overall safety at your facility.