7 Spring House Cleaning Tips for Seniors
Aging in place offers so many benefits for your senior loved one, including a familiar routine and a strong sense of independence. But it can also present challenges, especially if your loved one has health challenges, cognitive decline or mobility issues.
This can also affect their ability to care for themselves and their living space, which is important for keeping them physically and mentally healthy. A clean home improves indoor air quality, reduces germs, reduces the risk of falls and can even be a mood booster.
With warmer weather here, now is a great time to begin tackling spring cleaning tasks. If you care for your loved one, the list can feel overwhelming on top of everything else you do. Here’s a list of tips to make the process easier, and when to consider professional assistance.
Create a cleaning checklist
Assign cleaning tasks
Keep cleaning supplies in an easy-to-access spot
Cut down on clutter
Prevent bathroom falls
Remind your loved one that it’s OK to ask for help
Consider professional assistance from Visiting Angels
This can include daily household chores, such as wiping off the table or doing dishes, as well as seasonal tasks, like checking the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replacing air filters in HVAC equipment.
Divide up the work and decide who does what task. Your loved one may easily be able to handle dusting, wiping off the table or doing dishes, but may need assistance with chores that require lifting, bending or twisting, like scrubbing the shower or mopping floors. Making cleaning a team activity provides companionship and also gives you time to check in on your loved one.
This helps keep things organized. If your loved one lives in a two-story home, consider making a secondary storage spot so they don’t have to carry supplies up and down the stairs. This is especially true if they need a mop or vacuum upstairs.
Seniors are at a higher risk of falling due to decreased muscle strength, arthritis and changes in eyesight, according to the National Library of Medicine. If they’re seriously hurt in a fall, they may take a long time to heal, may need to move to a nursing home or may never get better. Help your loved one avoid potentially life-threatening slips, trips and falls by maintaining a clear walkway in their home and keeping everything in its place. If your senior shuffles while walking or uses a mobility aid like a walker, consider removing rugs that could cause them to trip.
Slips commonly occur in the bathroom. Installing slip guards, grab bars and railings can help keep your loved one safe.
Seniors have spent their entire lives being able to clean their homes without a second thought. Asking for help can make them feel embarrassed - but remind them that it’s ok to ask for help when they need it.
If you’re the primary caregiver for your loved one, house cleaning on top of everything else may feel overwhelming. While it is an option to hire a house cleaner, Visiting Angels of Panama City can help through specialized senior home care services designed to empower your loved one while keeping them safe. Our caregivers can assist with light housekeeping, laundry and other daily chores, as well as many other services, like personal care for seniors and fall prevention.
With the help of Visiting Angels, you can spend more quality time with your loved one – and much less time on time-consuming tasks. Call us at 850-215-3300 or contact us online to request a free senior home care consultation.
During your consultation, we’ll send one of our caregivers to your home. You’ll be able to ask any questions you have and learn more about how we can help your loved one maintain their independence. Then, we’ll discuss what their care plan might look like. We’re looking forward to meeting you and your family, so don’t hesitate to contact us today!