Spring cleaning is a great way to freshen up the house!
If you are a caregiver, include your elderly loved one in your spring cleaning. Keep idle hands busy while you tackle essential tasks. The very elderly cannot lift heavy objects or hunch over to scrub, but you can have them sort through old clothes or other lightweight items. Sorting, folding, and scrubbing are long-term memory skills and are incredibly easy-to-perform for Alzheimer’s or dementia patients. Offer your loved one a simple task that makes them feel included.
We put together a simple list of items that go a long way in bringing order and cleanliness to the home.
- Vacuum Your Mattress & Add A Waterproof Cover
- Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet
- Clean Out Your Pantry & Refrigerator
- Donate Clothes That No Longer Fit
- Clean Food Particles Out of The Dishwasher
- Run The Washing Machine with Clorox Only
- Remove Hair From The Vacuum Brush
Spring cleaning often reveals other needs around the house. Create a donation pile and make a list of items required for ongoing support and safety for your loved one. For example, pee or excrement around the toilet might reveal that a grab bar is needed in the bathroom to make getting on and off the seat easier. A bed that smells like urine might indicate your loved one has trouble getting out of bed and needs an assistive device. Rotting food in the fridge or pantry might reveal poor nutrition.
Deep cleaning also an excellent time for a home safety checkup. Use our home safety checklist to ensure your home is safe for yourself and your loved one.
Caregiving is a laborious commitment that leaves little time for anything extra. If you find that you cannot keep up with your aging loved one’s needs, your own needs, or the home, it is likely time for home care. Home care allows your loved one to remain in their home or yours while receiving nurse-supervised care for practical and medical needs.
