Staying current on the condition of your aging parents can be stressful for adult children, especially if your parents live in Victorville, and you live in a different city or state. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to interact with seniors and do a health check-up on their daily living. Here are some spring cleaning tips and ways to incorporate checking on age-related conditions and disease, such as forgetfulness, arthritis, vision loss and hearing loss while you are cleaning.
Time to Chat
When you arrive in Apple Valley for spring cleaning day with your aging parent, it is essential that you spend a little time catching up, before beginning the cleaning process. This will ensure your parent that you are there for a pleasant visit, not simply to clean. Chat about your home life as well as your parents. For example, fill them in on recent school activities your children have participated in and make sure to share lots of pictures because it helps with recognition and memory.
Time to clean
To avoid overwhelming your parent, it may be best to start the cleaning in several small areas, such as the closets. Complete one room at a time before moving on to the next and if after a few hours, the work seems to be too much for your parent, consider stopping for the day and completing the work the following day. If you are unable to come back the next day, talk with your parents in-home care provider to find out if they can assist your parent with the remainder of the cleaning.
- Closets: remove and store clothing that is out-of-season. While going through the clothing, check to make sure items are being kept clean and well-maintained. Health check tip-seniors who are developing memory loss and/or vision loss often wear the same clothing over and over, so check to see if the laundry contains more than one or two outfits.
- Bathroom: when cleaning the medicine cabinet, make sure to dispose of expired and old items, including medications. Check the shower to ensure it is being regularly used and that no repairs are needed. Health check tip-showers may not be used, because your parent is having difficulties getting in and out of the shower, so this is the perfect time to consider installing a grab bar and a raised toilet seat, both of which will help with arthritis problems.
- Kitchen: clean out the cupboards and refrigerator, checking for any foods that are expired. This is also a great opportunity to see how their eating habits are. Check all of the appliances to ensure they are working correctly. Make sure to vacuum the cobwebs and dust the areas that are especially difficult for them to reach. Health check tip-check the sodium levels of any prepared/frozen food items.
- Living room: dust can be a serious problem for seniors, so make sure to thoroughly clean areas where dust and dirt may build up, such as the carpets and the curtains. Health checks tip – talk with the senior care provider to see if there has been a decrease in reading or television time, which may be a sign of hearing or vision loss.
