Infection Prevention and Long-term Care Facility Residents

Overview

Long-term care facilities provide many services, both medical and personal care, to people who are unable to live without help.

If you live in a nursing home, assisted living facility or other long-term care facility, you have a higher risk of getting an infection. There are steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Tell your healthcare provider if you think you have an infection or if your infection is getting worse.
• Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed and tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects, such as diarrhea.
• Keep your hands clean. Remind staff and visitors to keep their hands clean.
• Get vaccinated against flu and other infections to avoid complications.

Preventing Infections in Your Nursing Home Community

Residents and staff play a vital role in keeping nursing home communities safe and healthy. Learn more about everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs in your nursing home community.

Share this video with residents, their loved ones, and staff. Facilities can download the MP4 file to broadcast the video on their 'in-house' network or include it in staff trainings and resident welcome materials.

Video - 3:13 MP4 for Download, Transcript

Resources for staying safe in long-term care facilities

Preventing C. diff

Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread of C. diff infection.

Healthy Habits: Antibiotic Do's and Don'ts

Antibiotics can save lives, but they aren't always the answer.

Preventing Infections That Can Lead to Sepsis

Protect yourself and your loved ones from infections that can lead to sepsis with these steps.

How to Prevent Norovirus

Learn how to prevent catching and spreading norovirus.

Staphylococcus aureus Basics

Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a bacterium that can sometimes cause infections.

Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI…

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are common but preventable and treatable.

About Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE)

CRE are germs resistant to one or several antibiotics called

Additional Resources

• Medicare resources for long-term care residents and caregivers.

• Find a nursing home in your area.