Maintaining a clean, safe house is one of the most difficult aspects of aging older. You may have observed that your parents, senior acquaintances, or family members who live alone are not as active as they once were. You may have also observed that they are having more difficulty keeping their home as tidy and nice as it used to be.
If you’ve been cleaning for an older family member, friend, or loved one in your life and want to help them stay self-sufficient, we have some tips to help you be more efficient while also reducing some of the special hazards that seniors face.
Cleaning Tips for Seniors
1. Create a Checklist
Make a cleaning checklist that includes all of the essential housekeeping tasks. Include some daily and weekly activities and some heavy cleaning jobs that may need the assistance of others. Caregivers can help develop the list and evaluate which things the senior can handle on their own and which require the assistance of others.
2. Organize Your Cleaning Supplies
It’s a good idea to gather all the cleaning supplies in one place to make sure the senior is selecting the right cleaning products for the task at hand. It is also important to ensure that all cleaning supplies are stored safely, and are put away when they are not in use.
Cleaning Tip: To be more efficient, keep a basket in the kitchen that has all the supplies they need to clean a particular room. This will make it easier to clean ‘as you go.’
3. Make a Cleaning Schedule and Stick to It
Make a cleaning schedule that outlines which chores get done and when. For example, maybe the bed will be made every day, but the floors will be vacuumed every other day. There are many cleanings that can be done as you go, but if the schedule is flexible, it will make it easier for the senior to keep up with.
4. Eliminate Dangerous Clutter
Make sure that all the dangerous clutter has been removed from the home. This includes excess furniture, frayed and worn electric cords, window blinds that don’t work, torn carpet, rugs and upholstery, and anything else that presents a tripping or falling hazard.
5. Do More Than Just Clean
Make a point of doing more than just cleaning. Provide companionship and a friendly ear. If you have a few hours to spend help make a meal they can freeze and reheat.
6. Hire Professionals as Needed
If a senior is struggling to make their home safe or struggling physically with the task at hand, you may have to look at hiring help. It can be difficult to ask for assistance, but sometimes it is the only way to help make sure a senior can remain as independent as possible.
With all the time you take to help an elderly loved one, it is important to take the time to take care of yourself. If you find you need some assistance, get a little help, so you can make sure they get the help they need.
Conclusion
Spending time with senior loved ones can be one of life’s greatest joys. However, because they might have a hard time keeping their home in order, they may need your help. The tips above are designed to help you be the best help possible. Remember, the most important thing is always to be respectful and keep your loved ones’ safety in mind.
InsideOut Cleaning uses clean and eco-friendly products to go deep into places that are overlooked and forgotten about over time. We offer professional house cleaning services that leave your home spotless and sanitized. Experience your cleanest home yet by booking our services online today!
