4 Ways to Improve an Indoor Environment for Seniors

If your senior loved one spends most of their time inside the house, it’s critical to enhance their indoor living environment. Every older adult should benefit from a clean and comfortable dwelling – free of unpleasant odors, excessive dust, leaks, mold, and other health hazards for seniors.

However, as people age, they often experience changes in their senses and may not smell strange odors or notice when the temperature changes. Older adults may also develop mobility and cognitive issues that prevent them from identifying household problems or necessary repairs.

Professional Care Services Can Maintain a Healthy Home for Your Senior

A professional caregiver can offer companionship and senior care support for your loved one while upholding sanitary conditions inside their home. Here are a few tasks a Visiting Angels’ in-home caregiver can provide to help your senior maintain a healthy indoor environment:

• Make sure the HVAC system is working
  If a house becomes musty, stuffy, too hot, or cold, the culprit could be the HVAC system. A quick test using the thermostat might be all it takes to determine if settings are incorrect or if certain systems aren’t working. A caregiver can monitor for issues and alert you when to contact an HVAC professional. Consider asking an HVAC company to schedule an annual service visit to ensure your loved one’s system functions properly.

• Let in some fresh air
  Open windows can improve indoor air freshness — but it’s important to check local air quality and allergen alerts if your senior has asthma or allergies. Open a patio door or a window to aerate the indoor environment for just a few minutes when the weather outside is ideal.

• Eradicate odors
  Visiting Angels can assist with light housekeeping duties that keep the home odor-free. A caregiver can lend a helping hand to replace a dirty pet bed, clean out spoiled food in the refrigerator, spray fabric refresher on a favorite chair, put a little baking soda down the kitchen drain, and do other tidying tasks.

• Manage indoor allergens
  A professional caregiver can help prevent common indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mold, insects, and other pests. They can clean those hard-to-reach spaces, vacuum rugs, or remove dust to prevent allergy flare-ups.

A Visiting Angels’ caregiver will help your older adult stay safe and comfortable by maintaining a clean, healthy home. Learn how Visiting Angels can provide professional home care services by contacting your local office to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation in-home consultation.