General Assisted Living Policies Regarding Bedding, Towels, Clothing, and Personal Items

Posted on November 16, 2022December 7, 2022 by Emily Kil

If you are considering moving to an assisted living community, you have an array of questions that may have yet to be addressed. Similarly, if you are an adult child of a senior parent, you may also be involved in the process of considering assisted living for your mother or father. On that list of questions likely is what are the policies of assisted living communities when it comes to such things as bedding, towels, clothing, and personal items. In this article, we discuss these policies and procedures in order to provide more information as you consider whether or not assisted living is right for you. The information presented in this article is also intended to be of help to family members of a senior adult interested in assisted living.

Law Versus Community Policy

Before digging a bit deeper into consideration of policies and procedures associated with assisted living and linens, clothing, and personal items, an important point needs to be made. There is an interplay between what is required by state law or regulation in regard to these items and what is the policy of a specific assisted living community.

Assisted Living and a Resident’s Personal Property

Assisted living is a great option for seniors who need some help but don’t want to give up their independence. In addition to providing assistance with activities of daily living, assisted living facilities also allow seniors to keep their personal property. This can be very important to seniors, as it can help them feel more at home in their new surroundings.

When it comes to certain types of personal property, this is an area in which state statutes or regulations may come into play. For example, state law or regulation may require an assisted living facility to provide specific types of furniture for a resident. This would include a suitable bed and mattress.

Many assisted living communities do permit residents the ability to bring some of their own furniture to a facility. There likely will be some specific rules regarding personal furniture items. If you are unsure about what you can and cannot bring with you to your new assisted living facility in the way of furniture, be sure to speak with the staff there before making any final decisions. They will be more than happy to help you out and answer any questions you may have.

Resident Clothing in Assisted Living

As a general rule, a resident has the ability to bring whatever clothing he or she desires to an assisted living community. Depending on a resident’s lifestyle before moving into an assisted living community, this is likely to include clothing for a number of different occasions. There are 10 points to ponder when it comes to clothing brought by a resident to an assisted living community:

Just as is the case in the world outside an assisted living community, a resident in this type of facility needs to have clothing that is appropriately seasonal.
It is important that clothing in assisted living facilities is easy to put on and take off if a resident has limited mobility.
Clothing in assisted living facilities should be comfortable and easy to move in. Clothes that are tight or constricting can make it difficult for residents to move around freely.
As a suggestion, it may be advisable to avoid bright colors and busy patterns in clothing for residents of assisted living facilities. These types of clothes can be distracting and confusing for residents who may have dementia or other cognitive issues.
Clothing in assisted living facilities should be practical and versatile. Residents may want to consider clothing options that can be dressed up or down as needed.
It is important to choose fabrics that are durable and easy to clean. Clothing that needs to be ironed or hand-washed can be a hassle for staff members in assisted living facilities. Keep in mind that assisted living communities provide laundry services for residents.
Sweaters, cardigans, and other layering pieces are great options for clothing in assisted living facilities. They can be worn on their own or layered over other clothes, depending on the weather conditions and other considerations.
Shoes are another important part of clothing in assisted living facilities. Shoes should be comfortable and practical.
Accessories can add a touch of personality to clothing in assisted living facilities. Hats, scarves, and necklaces can all help residents feel more stylish and comfortable in their clothes.
Ultimately, it is important to remember that the goal of clothing in assisted living facilities is not only style but comfort and practicality as well.

Bedding and Towels in Assisted Living

Typically, state law or regulation requires an assisted living community to provide residents with bedding or bed linen as well as towels. Having said that, this is another area in which residents of assisted living are free to bring their own bedding and towels. When it comes to assisted living facilities, many people think about the care that residents receive and the activities that are offered. However, what is often overlooked is the bedding and towel situation. There are10 points to bear in mind when it comes to bedding and towels in assisted living facilities:

In most cases, the facility will provide sheets, blankets, and pillows. However, it is always a good idea to bring your own pillowcase and/or sleeping bag, just in case.
Most facilities provide towels for residents, but it is always a good idea to bring your own bath towel if you can.
Facilities typically change sheets and towels once a week unless there is an illness or accident that requires more frequent changes.
If you want to change your bedding or towels before the scheduled change day, you will likely need to put in a special request with the staff.
It is important to remember that bedding and towels are two of the most commonly shared items in any facility, so be sure to keep them clean and free of bacteria.
Some people choose to bring their own favorite pillow or blanket from home as a way of making their room feel more like home. This is entirely up to you.
Facilities often have a variety of different bedding options for residents to choose from, such as twin beds, queen beds, etc. Be sure to ask about this ahead of time if you have any specific preferences.
Bedding and towel changes are just one part of the housekeeping process in assisted living facilities. Other tasks include cleaning bathrooms, floors, common areas, and so forth.
The housekeeping staff works extremely hard to keep all areas of the facility clean and tidy. This includes laundry services for residents.
Finally, always communicate any concerns or requests you have about bedding or towels directly with the staff at your facility.

If you are considering a move to assisted living, or if you are the adult child of a senior parent assisting your mother or father in determining whether a move to assisted living makes sense, you do want to fully understand a community’s policies regarding the matters discussed in this article. You do need to keep in mind that in addition to any legal requirements in regard to these issues, each individual community will have its own set of rules, procedures, and protocols.