Performing even basic housekeeping chores becomes challenging as you age. Senior adults with mobility issues, vision impairment, weak muscles and other chronic health conditions find it hard to maintain a sterile home environment. It can even increase the risk of falls and slips while cleaning wet or uneven surfaces. However, overlooking cleaning aspects can lead to dust, dirt, allergens and pest infestations, causing various health risks.
However, with the right strategies, smart cleaning gadgets and a customised plan, house cleaning can be efficient, safe and stress free. Whether you're a senior living independently in Sydney or someone caring for an older family member, consider the following useful tips and tricks to reduce strain while sprucing up your home. These hacks will help you create a healthy, hygienic and breathable home for older adults while improving their quality of life.
Let’s Get Started!
- Regular Decluttering To Reduce Tripping Hazards
- Spruce Up in Short Bursts
- Use Ergonomic Cleaning Tools
- Go Green: Use Non Toxic Cleaning Products
- Create a Smart Cleaning Schedule
- Enlist Helping Hands For Complicated Tasks
- Check Lighting and Alarms
- Hire Professional Cleaners For Special Occasions
- Wrapping Up
1. Regular Decluttering To Reduce Tripping Hazards
There is no denying that a home is a treasure trove of memorable belongings, each with a story. Unfortunately, these items can turn into clutter, posing a threat of accidents, such as falls and trips. Older adults with mobility issues or visual impairments need clean and clear pathways to prevent injuries.
Removing unnecessary stuff from the floors not only ensures safety but also simplifies housekeeping chores. It can be stressful to tackle sentimental belongings, but less clutter means fewer dust bunnies and reduced tripping hazards for seniors.
Tip: Get rid of items you no longer need. Donate them to the local charity to help underprivileged people.
2. Spruce Up in Short Bursts
Don't put physical and mental strain when cleaning your home. Instead of tackling dirt, grime and grease from an entire house, divide tasks into manageable chunks and spend no more than 10 minutes on a cleaning session. This will keep you motivated without feeling exhausted. Taking necessary breaks amidst the process can make a huge difference. You can also outsource professionals for a budget end of lease cleaning Sydney when preparing for the end of your tenancy. They clean according to the pre approved cleaning checklist to cover all crannies to help reclaim full bond amount.
3. Use Ergonomic Cleaning Tools
Believe it or not! Investing in the right tools can make a huge difference, making it easier for seniors to handle house cleaning chores. Use lightweight, smart/robotic and ergonomic cleaning tools, such as:
- Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: It is easy to operate cleaning tool, ideal for dusting carpets, upholstery furniture, blinds, floors and crannies. Use a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner to promote breathable indoor air.
- Extendable Dusting Tool: It helps you clean hard to reach spots like ceiling fans and shelf tops without the need for a step stool or ladder.
- Long Handled Litter Picker: It can help you collect loose dirt and debris off the floors without bending down. It is an ideal tool for people with knee pain or arthritis.
- Easy to Grip Scrub Brushes: These are designed with comfortable grips and angled heads for effortless scrubbing.
Tip: If budget is not a problem, invest in a robotic vacuum cleaner to save time, energy and the risk of injuries.
4. Go Green: Use Non Toxic Cleaning Products
Eco friendly cleaning products ensure the safety of elderly members with compromised immune systems. Cutting down on synthetic cleaners, toxic fumes, and chemical solutions can reduce the risk of allergies, skin irritations and other health complications, as older adults are vulnerable to VOCs. It is good to use warm water, dish soap liquid, white vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, lemon, charcoal, coffee grounds to clean, disinfect and deodorise your abode.
Tip: Do not mix cleaning products, even if you are using homemade recipes, because some can release toxic gases.
5. Create a Smart Cleaning Schedule
Focus on high impact areas, such as the kitchen, bathrooms, floors and high traffic areas. Clean these areas first without wasting much time, and then gradually handle less frequent chores, such as windows and polishing wooden tables. etc. Do not overwhelm yourself, and keep yourself hydrated. It is good to create a customised daily, weekly and monthly cleaning routine to stay organised.
6. Enlist Helping Hands For Complicated Tasks
Even the healthiest senior needs assistance during the house cleaning session. Certain tasks need a lot of scrubbing, physical energy and patience. So, it is good to ask friends and family to step in and help you achieve a spotless indoor environment. They can help with moving heavy furniture, removing mould and mildew, dusting the top of kitchen cabinets, mopping floors etc.
Tip: Consider community volunteers for regular assistance. They can be your helping hand at no cost.
7. Check Lighting and Alarms
Lighting systems and smoke alarm batteries can pose danger to older people, especially if they struggle with balance, vision and strength. If you're assisting loved ones, ensure you check all light fixtures and fittings. Remove cobwebs and dust to keep all rooms bright and well lit. Also, wash windows and dust blinds to ensure proper natural light to help seniors prevent trips and falls due to a lack of vision.
8. Hire Professional Cleaners For Special Occasions
Whether organising a Christmas party or moving out of your rental home, seniors always have the option to hire professionals for deep cleaning services. Hiring end of lease cleaning Sydney experts can help them pass the rental inspection effortlessly. From doors to windows, blinds to backsplash area, showers to tile grouts, every inch of the premises will be cleaned to help secure hard earned bond money at the end of a tenancy.
Simple Cleaning Guide for Seniors
Wrapping Up
Senior adults often lack the zest for energy, motivation, and strength to maintain a tidy abode. However, with the help of this guide and the right cleaning supplies, they can prevent potential tripping hazards and keep dust, dirt, and grime at bay to maintain a hygienic indoor environment.