I visited many homes and found some smelled horrible and some didn't. One I went in was changing linens, the linen baskets were open and in the hall ways, people in wheel chairs everywhere, obviously with soiled undies/or pads, laundry room open to the hallways, rooms messy and the dining hall with food all over the floors. These were modern and very expensive homes too.
The home I chose for Mom is virtually smell free. You will catch a whiff now and then but nothing horrible. Each residents room has its own ventilation unit which helps. They toilet them constantly...(like you would a two year old your trying to potty train) They are bathed every other day. When they change linens, they put them in a cart that has a bonnet so the smells don't drift out into the halls. Housekeeping is constant and the only smell is that of the food being prepared.
Like Bruce said, it is management and cleanliness.
Oh and Mom's home is older with carpeted hallways, linoleum in the rooms.
When I visited homes, if it smelled, I turned around and left. It is also a sign that there are bound to be rampant UTI's !
Norman, are you looking for a home for Peg?
Debbie