For a variety of reasons, some elderly people let housework slip as they age. Some don’t have the energy anymore, some have poor eyesight and can’t see when things get grimy, and others have physical limitations that make it challenging to clean. Helping your parent with housekeeping can be a big help. Here are a few ways to assist your elderly loved one with housekeeping tasks.
Do the Laundry
If your parent feels like relying on you to do the laundry is an imposition, assure him or her it isn’t. You can also mention it’s too expensive to take it to the laundromat or send it out to be cleaned. If your parent has a washer and dryer at home, do the laundry while you are visiting so he or she doesn’t have to worry about it.
If your loved one needs additional help with housekeeping, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Albuquerque home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Declutter the Home
Sometimes a home can become cluttered from years of accumulation, not having time or energy to clear it out, or being overwhelmed by the thought of all the work it entails. Your parent will feel better without so much stuff around, and he or she can donate old furniture and clothes. The less clutter there is, the easier it will be to keep the home clean in the long run.
Encourage Your Children to Help
Housekeeping and cleaning tasks are easier to perform with more than one person. If you frame the suggestion as wanting to give your children more chores so they can earn an allowance, your parent may be less reluctant to let them help.
A professional caregiver is a great option for times when you and your loved one require an extra pair of hands. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Albuquerque, New Mexico, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
Set Up Weekly Routines
Come up with regular routines to help your parent manage tasks around the home. For instance, you can sit down together to pay bills or handle paperwork on the first day of the month. Also, schedule times each week to run the dishwasher and pick up around the house. Your parent will probably enjoy this time far more if you make it less about housekeeping and more about spending time together.
Show Your Parent Some Easy Ways to Clean Up
If you declutter and handle the bigger things like laundry, there are easy ways your parent can keep things tidy between visits. For instance, baby wipes can be a huge help in basic housekeeping. They can be used to wipe up counters, tables, toilet seats, and more. Having clearly labeled containers for mail, trash, recycling, and laundry may make it easier for your parent to dispose of things properly.
Aging adults who need help around the house, transportation to medical appointments and social events, and assistance with exercise can benefit from having an in-home caregiver. Albuquerque seniors can enjoy greater independence and receive regular mental and social stimulation when relying on a trusted professional who is expertly trained in various aspects of senior care. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your aging loved one, call Home Care Assistance at 505-798-0800 today.
