Do you have a senior or elderly person in your life that you help care for? Most aging parents or loved ones prefer to stay in the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible; however, many become unable to keep up with daily household tasks. Left unchecked, a dirty or cluttered house can quickly become a hazard. Falls represent the leading cause of emergency room visits for the elderly, and a cluttered house unfortunately creates the perfect storm for falls. So how can you help keep your loved one safe while allowing them to maintain their independence? Follow these tips from Christina’s Complete Clean!
1. Organize or Purge Household Clutter
As mentioned above, clutter is a huge risk factor for falls, so it’s very important to make sure all walkways are clear in and around the home. However, when it comes time to get rid of household clutter, it’s important to be sensitive to your loved one’s feelings. Many seniors are unaware of how many things they have accumulated and often, the items have sentimental value. Never throw away anything without permission, and involve your senior in the organizing process. Don’t forget to also safely dispose of old medicines, household cleaning supplies, and expired food.
2. Arrange for a Deep Cleaning
After you’ve gotten the clutter under control, arrange a time to do a complete deep clean. You can do this yourself with the help of other family members, or schedule a time with a professional cleaning company. Often, elderly family members are still able to perform small cleaning duties such as dusting, but are unable to bend down and scrub toilets or push a heavy vacuum cleaner. At Christina’s Complete Clean, we can come in and do a one-time deep clean or you can schedule regular appointments depending on your needs.
3. Make a List for Them
Finally, in the spirit of maintaining independence and again with dignity, create a list of chores that your senior is able to complete themselves between deep cleans. Even if your loved one isn’t fully mobile, they can still dust knickknacks, polish silverware, or sort clothes piles of paper while sitting down. It’s also a good idea to make a daily list of small tasks they can complete to keep the house tidy and not let the clutter get out of control again.
Helping an elderly person live in a clean home can take some patience and planning, but it is well worth it to keep your loved one in a safe, comfortable environment. Contact Christina’s Complete Clean in Carmel today at (317) 564-4244 to learn about which residential cleaning and organizing service would be right for your loved one. We look forward to working with you!