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<\/h2>\nIntroduction: What You\u2019ll Learn<\/h2>\n
Senior living facilities are designed to be supportive and comfortable for older adults. But one hidden factor that influences resident well-being every single day is indoor air quality (IAQ).<\/p>\n
In this article, you\u2019ll learn: According to the U.S. EPA, Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, and older adults often spend even more<\/a>. This makes seniors particularly vulnerable to airborne pollutants and allergens. Chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, and heart disease are more common in this age group, and poor indoor air quality can aggravate these health issues.<\/p>\n Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints or flooring, particulate matter from dust or cleaning, and allergens like mold or dust mite allergen all accumulate indoors. Without effective controls, these hidden exposures can affect respiratory comfort, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing.<\/p>\n Poor indoor air quality may adversely affect not only health and wellbeing, but also contribute to higher staff absenteeism and increased dissatisfaction among families making care decisions. That\u2019s why IAQ must be treated as a foundational design and operational priority in senior living.<\/p>\n First developed in healthcare settings, evidence-based design uses scientific research to guide decisions about the built environment. In senior living facilities, this means: By integrating research-backed solutions, designers and procurement teams can make smarter decisions about materials, creating measurable improvements in resident comfort and staff performance, while reducing environmental triggers that may contribute to health complications.<\/p>\n In care environments, the choices made in products and materials shape not just buildings, but daily life. Human-conscious design emphasizes empathy and lived experience, placing residents\u2019 comfort, dignity, and health at the center of decision-making. This approach represents a shift away from a purely engineering-driven mindset toward one that asks deeper questions:<\/p>\n This realization is reshaping how we think about long-term care design. A people-centered approach demands accountability, and that accountability is strengthened through independent, third-party certification. Validating product claims in this way helps facility managers move beyond marketing language and make confident choices that truly support the wellbeing of residents.<\/p>\n Here, we spotlight just a few Certified categories and partners who are focused on senior living and who work hard to deliver products that support healthier indoor environments for older adults.<\/p>\n Paint plays a major role in indoor environments, especially where seniors may spend long hours. Conventional paints can release VOCs and irritants long after application, negatively affecting indoor air quality.<\/p>\n \u201cIndoor air quality is especially important in senior living spaces, as older adults can be more vulnerable to respiratory challenges such as allergies and asthma. Because seniors also tend to spend more time indoors, maintaining a healthier indoor environment contributes to both comfort and wellbeing. Paints like\u00a0EasyCare\u00ae Ultra Premium<\/em>, which are Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly\u00ae<\/sup>, <\/strong>support healthier indoor air quality and are a smart choice for creating living spaces with this in mind.\u201d – True Value<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Certified paints, such as True Value\u2019s EasyCare\u00ae<\/sup> Ultra Premium<\/a> and Eco Spec\u00ae<\/sup> from Benjamin Moore<\/a>, undergo testing not just at 24 hours but again at 336 hours after application. This ensures that VOC emissions remain low over time. For facilities, this means residents can be safely relocated back into freshly painted rooms early, with the reassurance that the paint will continue to support healthier indoor air quality in the days and weeks that follow.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re a skilled nursing facility, right now we have 67 residents in house, and we\u2019ve been having some remodeling done, they\u2019re painting everything\u2014 pretty much the whole facility. It doesn\u2019t interfere with their daily activities; we don\u2019t have to close down a section of the facility. With Eco Spec they can finish the room, and we can move the residents back in that same day when it\u2019s done.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Olga Yamawaki, Administrator, Pine Grove Healthcare and Wellness Center.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Insulation influences not only comfort but also indoor air quality. For seniors, low emissions and reduced dust are fundamental to maintaining healthier breathing environments in both healthcare and senior living facilities.<\/p>\n Certified insulation, such as Knauf Performance+\u00ae portfolio of products<\/a>, is designed with IAQ in mind and tested to support healthier indoor environments. It delivers long-term energy efficiency and acoustic comfort while reducing dust, fiber release, and VOCs. Mold resistance adds further peace of mind in settings where occupant health is a top priority.<\/p>\n Case Study Example: Viva Bene Senior Living<\/strong><\/p>\n Viva Bene Senior Living Facility<\/p><\/div>\n The new Viva Bene community, a 195,000-square-foot active adult development in the St. Louis suburbs, selected Certified Knauf Performance+\u00ae EcoBatt insulation to meet the needs of residents 55 and older, and it was installed throughout the facility, reducing dust and VOCs while also delivering energy efficiency and soundproofing.<\/p>\n \u201cPerformance+\u00ae insulation shows how evidence-based and human-conscious design choices directly support healthier environments in senior living and healthcare settings.\u201d <\/em>\u2014 Knauf<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Seniors spend a significant portion of their day resting, making bedding one of the highest-exposure items.<\/p>\n Certified bedding, such as that from SIJO<\/a>, plays a key role in improving indoor air quality. Bedding is in constant contact with the body and can trap dust mite allergens and other irritants that affect sleep and respiratory health.<\/p>\n Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly\u00ae<\/strong> bedding is independently tested to ensure it reduces allergen accumulation, withstands regular cleaning, and contributes to a healthier sleep environment. Certified testing has shown that these products can reduce allergen levels in fabrics by more than 95% compared to unwashed controls, according to the Asthma & Allergy Friendly\u00ae <\/strong>Certification Standards.<\/p>\n \u201cSleep is a vulnerable time for people of all ages, but as we age and immune systems change or weaken, the products we use are increasingly more important. This is why creating the best possible products for sleep is paramount to SIJO, and why we sought out certification. We wanted to ensure that customers can sleep well knowing that our products block allergens.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 SIJO\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n For seniors, flooring affects both safety and air quality. Materials can harbor dust and allergens and emit VOCs, all of which can impact respiratory health.<\/p>\n Certified flooring, such as Tarkett\u2019s Powerbond\u00ae RS<\/a>, undergoes rigorous testing to confirm low chemical emissions and ease of cleaning to remove allergens. This ensures that flooring not only supports better indoor air quality but also withstands the demands of healthcare and senior living environments. By combining durability with healthier performance, certified flooring helps reduce exposure risks while maintaining comfort, functionality, and peace of mind for residents and caregivers.<\/p>\n Tarkett brings an added dimension with its Human-Conscious Design\u2122 approach, which helps create supportive spaces tailored to the unique needs of both residents and caregivers. From physical safety to emotional wellbeing, Tarkett emphasizes holistic, evidence-based design in senior living environments, where every interaction matters and this is reflected in their portfolio of Certified flooring.<\/p>\n In a recent industry interview, Sandra Soraci<\/a>, Director of Healthcare and Senior Living Segment Strategy at Tarkett North America, highlighted the role of flooring in healthcare and senior living design:<\/p>\n \u201cPowerbond hybrid carpet continues to be a leading solution, thanks to its closed-cell, impermeable cushion and chemically welded seams, which create a wall-to-wall moisture barrier. It remains one of the most trusted flooring technologies in the industry, and in 2022, Powerbond RS became the world\u2019s first soft-surface flooring to be Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly.\u201d <\/em>\u2014 Sandra Soraci, Tarkett North America<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n For seniors managing asthma, COPD, or other chronic conditions, continuous air cleaning can make a meaningful difference in comfort and wellbeing.<\/p>\n Certified air cleaners, such as those from Rabbit Air<\/a>, provide proven solutions to reduce airborne contaminants and support healthier indoor environments. Rabbit Air purifiers are certified to meet strict standards for allergen removal and ozone emissions, complying with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 21:801.415, an important consideration for sensitive populations.<\/p>\n Case Study Example: Crown Healthcare and Greene Acres Nursing Home<\/strong> \u201cIn healthcare and senior living facilities, maintaining superior indoor air quality is a top priority for protecting vulnerable patients and residents. Our purifiers are proven to help reduce airborne contaminants and improve overall air quality, creating comfortable environments for everyone.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Rabbit Air<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Laundry products are often overlooked in discussions about indoor air quality, yet they play an important role in the health of seniors and those with chronic conditions. Detergents that leave behind harsh chemical residues or strong fragrances can irritate sensitive airways, while allergens embedded in fabrics may worsen respiratory symptoms.<\/p>\n In senior living and healthcare settings, bedding and linens must be washed frequently to maintain hygiene and control allergens. This is especially important in resident bedrooms, where bedding is in direct contact with skin and the breathing zone. Using Certified detergents helps facilities ensure that frequent laundering practices don\u2019t compromise indoor air quality or resident comfort.<\/p>\n Certified detergents, such as those from Renegade Brands<\/a>, are independently tested to ensure they remove allergens, limit VOC emissions, exclude sensitizing chemicals, and leave no harmful residues on fabrics. Renegade\u2019s relationship with the Asthma & Allergy Friendly\u00ae<\/strong> Certification Program began in 2021 with Sweat-X Sport Free and Clear, its first certified product, and later expanded into healthcare and senior care with the certification of Pure Pro Laundry Detergent.<\/p>\n Renegade Brands\u2019 work in developing products that meet the unique needs of senior care, hospice, and healthcare settings was recognized with the Leadership in Senior Care Laundry Solutions Award<\/em><\/a> earlier this year.<\/p>\n Through their participation in AAFA\u2019s Health Equity Advancement and Leadership (HEAL) Program<\/a>, Renegade has extended their impact beyond product innovation to the communities most affected by asthma and allergies. Their donation of certified detergents has already reached families in high-burden cities, and their work in senior care has touched over 10,000 residents across senior living facilities, a clear reflection of their commitment to access and equity in healthier environments.<\/p>\n Renegade\u2019s certified detergents demonstrate how high-performance laundry care can support both consumer and healthcare environments, reinforcing the role of science-backed solutions in protecting sensitive populations.<\/p>\n Terms like \u201chypoallergenic,\u201d \u201ceco,\u201d or \u201cgreen\u201d are not consistently regulated, which makes independent certification especially valuable. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly\u00ae<\/strong> Certification Program subjects products to rigorous laboratory testing, ensuring that performance claims are backed by science and that certified products won\u2019t introduce new pollutants into sensitive environments.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Why IAQ and allergen reduction matter more in senior living facilities.
\n\u2022 How evidence-based and human-conscious design approaches can improve resident well-being.
\n\u2022 Which product categories make a significant difference in air quality and health.
\n\u2022 Examples of Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly\u00ae<\/strong> products already making an impact in senior living settings.
\n\u2022 How facility managers, procurement teams, and families can use certification as a trustworthy guide.<\/p>\nWhy Indoor Air Quality Matters for Seniors<\/h2>\n
Design Approaches That Support Aging Well<\/h2>\n
Evidence-Based Design<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Choosing low-emitting materials that won\u2019t add VOCs to the air.
\n\u2022 Optimizing ventilation strategies.
\n\u2022 Prioritizing flooring, bedding, and finishes that are easy to clean and maintain.
\n\u2022 Incorporating independently certified products tested under real-world conditions.<\/p>\nHuman-Conscious Design<\/h3>\n
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Certified Products for Senior Living Environments<\/h2>\n
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Paint<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Insulation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Bedding<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Flooring<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Air Cleaners<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nSenior living and healthcare facilities such as Crown Healthcare in New Jersey and Greene Acres Nursing Home in Arkansas have chosen Rabbit Air purifiers to support cleaner indoor environments. Their systems provided an added layer of reassurance for residents, patients, and staff, while their ultra-quiet operation and modern design helped promote a calm and comfortable atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n
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Laundry Detergent<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Role of Certification in Care Facilities<\/h2>\n