5 Ways to Help Make Cleaning Easier for Seniors

Mobility issues, decreasing strength and various other health issues are increasingly common as people age. Things that are easy to do at 35 are far more challenging at 70.

Health issues can affect a senior’s ability to bend, crouch and reach different areas that require cleaning. Cleaning can even result in injuries, such as related to falls, heavy lifting and joint instability.

What are some ways to help make cleaning easier for seniors?

Importance of Making Cleaning Manageable for Seniors

The cleanliness of a home impacts seniors in several ways. For example, clutter can contribute to trip-and-fall accidents. The mold, mildew and bacteria that can grow in a home can make anyone sick. However, the immune system declines with age, making seniors more susceptible to illnesses.

In addition, many health conditions are age-related or worsen with age, and everything from dust and pet dander to poor lighting from dirty windows and lamps can contribute to risks and health concerns at home. Filth can easily accumulate if the home isn’t cleaned regularly, so it’s important to stay on top of cleaning chores.

Practical Tips to Simplify Cleaning for Seniors

Many seniors want to remain independent for as long as possible. House cleaning chores may grow increasingly challenging with age and an overall decline in health, but there are some steps available that can simplify cleaning for seniors.

1. Simplify Cleaning Routines with a Decluttered Home

When a home is riddled with clutter, such as from knickknacks on shelves, junk mail on counters and more, the home is more difficult to clean. Cleaning becomes much faster and easier when unwanted items are removed from the home.

For example, tossing junk mail in the trash as a matter of habit enables your senior to clean the counters with less time and energy. Create organizational systems with your senior so that everything that needs to be in the home has a place of its own.

2. Invest in Senior-Friendly Cleaning Tools

The right cleaning tools make cleaning much easier. For example, if your senior lives in an older home without a dishwasher, investing in a dishwasher can simplify the process of washing pots, pans and more.

A lightweight vacuum cleaner or a robot vacuum is much easier to use than a clunky, heavy vacuum cleaner. Long-handled dusters make it easier to reach ceiling fans and tall furniture. Other senior-friendly cleaning tools are a long-handled dustpan, a grabber tool, a long-handled scrubber and a Swiffer sweeper.

For easier cleaning, use a rolling cart to push the cleaning supplies from room to room.

3. Break Cleaning Tasks Into Manageable Chunks

Cleaning is something that requires daily effort, but it doesn’t need to be done all at once. Adjusting a few habits can spread the tasks throughout the day, making them much easier to keep up with.

For example, after each meal, load the dishes in the dishwasher and wipe down the counters. Clean spills and splatters as soon as you notice them. You can also help your senior create a schedule that breaks chores down by day. For example, on Monday, the bed linens and laundry can be washed. Tuesday is bathroom cleaning day, and so forth.

4. Utilize Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

Many cleaning products commonly used today have harmful chemicals. These chemicals can cause everything from skin rashes and eye irritation to coughing, headaches and more serious health issues. Examine the cleaning products that your senior uses, and replace them with non-toxic and eco-friendly alternatives.

For example, vinegar and baking soda can be used to tackle soap scum in the bathroom, remove stains on carpet, disinfect toilets, clean grout and more. Many of the DIY cleaning recipes that are safe and effective are also more affordable, which is a benefit for seniors who live on fixed incomes.

5. Consider Professional or Assisted Cleaning Services

These tips will dramatically ease the burden of keeping a house clean, which enables seniors to remain safe and live independently at home for a longer period of time. For many seniors, however, declining abilities and health will eventually make many cleaning chores unsafe or impossible.

Professional cleaning services can be customized to meet the senior’s needs. For example, if a senior needs help only with the floors and bathrooms, these services can be provided. Additional cleaning services can be provided as needed in the future.

If your senior’s home is currently disorganized and filthy, a deep cleaning service can get it back in shape so that routine cleaning chores are easier to do.

Whether your senior is struggling with routine cleaning or needs deep cleaning service from time to time, the Cleanzen team can help. Boston apartment cleaning services are available for all needs and can be scheduled at convenient times. To inquire about cleaning services for your senior, contact us today.