Transforming senior living communities from the inside out

There’s a growing trend happening in our society. The baby boomers of the 50s and 60s now make up the majority of our population. And whether in an urban setting or the middle of suburbia, it seems that everywhere you look a senior living community is being built to accommodate those 55 years of age and older. And with each new facility comes another choice for aging adults and their children to make – where to reside and at what price point. The senior living industry offers residents and their families a wide range of cost and quality options from the basic care apartment style units to the most luxurious suites with all the amenities one could wish for. What’s more, many of these facilities are built for a continuum of care spanning from independent living to assisted care to memory care. And because there are so many different places to choose from, it has never been more important to offer current and potential residents a community that is safe, well appointed, and well maintained. One person who knows the value of high-quality maintenance equipment and supplies needed within a senior living facility is Ray Mahathy, Director of Maintenance at Lloyd Jones Property Management.

“In a senior community, budget allocation is so important. You want to make sure that you’ve purchased equipment that is durable, works properly and promotes a safe and secure environment for the staff, residents, and their visitors.” – Ray Mahathy

The need for quality equipment cannot be understated as senior living communities, much like any other healthcare or treatment facility, must adhere to strict health codes and regulations. Considering that often therapy, counseling, physical activity, and medication distribution occurs on the campus at all hours of the day. There are also visitors coming and going, making it imperative that these buildings, and the equipment found within them, are of the highest standards possible.

As a maintenance director, it is Ray’s job to ensure that the right equipment and supplies are ordered, shipped, stored, and monitored throughout every area of the facility – from consumables that residents use such as toilet paper, towels, soap, to the cleaning supplies and disinfectants, janitorial equipment and toolkits used by community associates on a daily basis. Around every corner of a senior living community, you’ll find commercial grade items such as wet vacs and garbage carts that are used to keep areas clean, safe and odor free. Aside from the floors and hallways, air quality and HVAC systems can’t be overlooked. That’s why these communities use high-quality air filters and rely on a dependable assortment of HVAC supplies, as well as a variety of smaller parts such as air filters, ductwork, and HVAC controls, to ensure a comfortable living space for every occupant. Two of those living spaces that are visited frequently are the staff breakrooms and cafeterias that can be outfitted with everything from tables and chairs to napkin dispensers, food trays, ice machines, refrigerators and even game tables.

In addition to the building itself, the people and the staff of senior living communities experience their fair share of moving. With all the people moving in and then eventually moving from one area of the facility to the other, and for all the furniture rearrangement done for community activities, it is important for a maintenance director to have a good supply of hand trucks and moving dollies on hand. But the need for quality supplies and industrial equipment isn’t relegated to the interior space of these facilities. In fact, stepping outside you will find many places for residents to relax that feature outdoor furniture pieces such as benches and tables to umbrellas and canopies all designed for comfort and conversation. Outside, many communities rely on everything from speed limit signs to speed bumps to even ash tray receptacles to ensure guests and residents are kept safe while on campus.

Ray Mahathy knows how important it is to have everything in place throughout every part of his community. That’s why he appreciates that Global Industrial is a one-stop-shop for all his industrial supply needs. Over the years, Ray has used the Global Industrial catalogue to order a wide variety of items, and his experience has been that everything ordered has arrived in a timely manner and in perfect working condition.

“I trust Global Industrial to deliver the right product at the right price at the right time – every time. They are an integral partner in my community’s success.”

If you are a senior living community maintenance director or facility manager interested in improving the quality of the supplies throughout your location, we invite you to connect with one of our Global Industrial sales representatives by calling1.888.978.7759 or contacting us here.

The information contained in this article is for informational, educational, and promotional purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. It is the reader’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations. If there is any question or doubt in regard to any element contained in this article, please consult a licensed professional.  Under no circumstances will Global Industrial® be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on this article.