Helping Your Loved One Keep a Clean House

Keeping a clean home can be a difficult task for senior citizens. Even daily upkeep requires a lot of energy and time. Seniors who experience a lack of mobility or are ill can find it especially hard to stay on top of daily tasks. Many family members chip in and help seniors as needed. If you are helping a loved one with household tasks, we've compiled these four tips which can help.

1. Ask for assistance from family and friends. Ask your loved one who they’d like to help clean and let those people know about the tasks that need to be undertaken. Many family members are happy to help and only need to be asked.
2. Plan out tasks with your relative. Include your family member when planning the house cleaning activities. Keeping your loved one involved will allow them to feel included and in charge which can reduce anxiety.
3. De-clutter the halls and doorways to interior room. Cluttered hallways and doorways are major causes of falls in the home. Plan to clean these areas first to make the house safer for both you and your loved one. You can move on to the interior area of each room afterward. If you are worried about your loved one falling, your local Visiting Angels office can help with an at home assessment.
4.  Give the house a deep clean. After de-cluttering each room, use the proper cleaning products to rid the house of unwanted germs. Deep cleaning provides the added benefit of a healthier house.

If your schedule makes it difficult to provide the care your loved one needs, consider calling Visiting Angels. Our caregivers can visit your loved one on a regular schedule to help with light housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, running errands, and a wide variety of other activities of daily living. One of the greatest benefits of having an in home care provider is the companionship and friendly conversations your loved one will enjoy.