Helping Your Older Loved One with Spring Cleaning

Spring is a time of renewal, and what better way to embrace the season than by assisting your older loved one with a thorough spring cleaning? Simple tasks like decluttering, testing alarms, and replacing air filters can become challenging as we age. By lending a helping hand, you can ensure that your loved one’s living space is clean and organized but also safe and comfortable.

Make a Checklist and a Schedule

Begin by setting aside an afternoon to sit down with your loved one and create a checklist of tasks they would like to accomplish during their spring cleaning. To ensure you pay attention to everything, create a schedule that helps break down the workload into manageable pieces. Setting realistic goals and deadlines can make the process more manageable for you and your loved one.

Clear Out Clutter

Start by tackling the clutter that may have accumulated over the winter months. Removing clutter improves the overall look of the living space and improves safety and accessibility for your loved one. Remember, even small progress in decluttering can make a big difference to their health and well-being. Encourage your loved one to donate or gift items they no longer need, keeping in mind their sentimental value.

Organize Personal Belongings

As you declutter and clean, take the opportunity to organize your loved one’s personal belongings, including clothing, books, documents, and sentimental items. Organizing these belongings makes them easier to find and can help your loved one feel more in control and independent.

Test and Replace Alarms as Necessary

Spring cleaning is a great time to test safety devices such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and sprinklers. Check the batteries in these devices and replace them if needed.

Replace Air Filters

Regularly changing air filters is crucial for maintaining good indoor air quality. You can enhance their respiratory health and comfort by replacing the air filters in your loved one’s home every three to six months.

Make Necessary Repairs

Spring cleaning is also an excellent time to make necessary repairs around the living space. From replacing light bulbs and fixing leaky faucets to repairing furniture or appliances, addressing these issues helps your loved one’s living space remain safe and functional.

Focus on Safety

Prioritize safety by clearing walkways, checking that commonly used items are within arm’s reach, and reorganizing furniture for easy access to emergency exits. Verify that windows and doors work properly and that essential documents like emergency phone numbers and medical records are readily accessible.

Deep Clean the Living Space

After clearing the clutter and checking safety devices, it’s time to start deep cleaning. A thorough cleaning can help maintain a healthy and hygienic living space for your loved one, from dusting high surfaces and vacuuming carpets to scrubbing floors and sanitizing commonly used areas.

Clean Out the Bathroom and Kitchen

Sanitize high-touch surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom, including countertops, fixtures, appliances, and mirrors. Dispose of expired food items in the pantry and fridge, and discard expired medications in the bathroom. Reorganize cabinets and drawers to make items more accessible, and if needed, consider installing safety features such as shower grab bars and non-slip mats in the bathroom.

Don’t Forget the Outdoors

While spring cleaning often focuses on the inside of a home, remember also to pay attention to the outdoor areas. If your loved one has an outdoor space, prepare it for the upcoming season by trimming overgrown bushes and trees, clearing debris from gutters and walkways, and refreshing outdoor furniture. Clean outdoor furniture creates a welcoming environment where people can relax and enjoy the fresh air.

Make It a Team Effort

Involving family and friends can turn spring cleaning into a social event. While working together, you can engage in an enjoyable activity, share stories, and create lasting memories. Consider hiring professionals to save time and energy for extensive tasks like HVAC servicing or landscaping.

Use This Time to Take Stock

As you assist with spring cleaning, observe any changes in your loved one’s behavior or living conditions. Look for signs of social withdrawal, neglect of household chores, or difficulty maintaining their living space. These observations help you identify when additional support may be necessary.

Consider Hiring a Companion

If your loved one would benefit from assistance with light housekeeping tasks, consider hiring a companion to provide support and companionship. A companion can help make daily chores more manageable for your older family member.

Be Caring and Supportive

Spring cleaning is more than just tidying up—it’s an opportunity to improve your loved one’s quality of life. By working together and showing support and care with spring cleaning, you can create a safe and relaxing environment for your older loved one. Remember, a clean home is a happy home!

The Maxim at Home team is here to help.

Do you need help with a loved one? Then consider Maxim at Home’s homemaker and companionship services. Our team of friendly, compassionate Companions takes great pride in serving people in their community who need light assistance with daily chores, some company and conversation, or convenient transportation for errands, appointments, or trips to the store.

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