6 Housekeeping Tasks Aging Adults May Need Help With

When it comes to housekeeping, some people do it better than others. However, you should be concerned if your aging loved one’s home suddenly looks disheveled if he or she has always been fairly organized in the past. Difficulty managing basic housekeeping tasks could be a sign your loved one is experiencing health issues such as arthritis pain or a fear of falling. During your next visit to your loved one’s home, consider offering to help with the following housekeeping tasks that tend to be difficult for seniors. 

1. Cleaning the Floors

Mopping and vacuuming take up a lot of energy. However, seniors rely on clean floors to prevent falls, and regularly cleaning floors can reduce allergens and bacteria that contribute to illness. Many seniors fear falling on wet floors as they mop, and your loved one’s aversion to cleaning the floors may indicate he or she has balance or mobility issues.

Seniors who need help managing basic household tasks can benefit from professional in-home care. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of las Vegas at-home care. You can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.

2. Organizing High Shelves

Over the years, the highest shelves in closets and cabinets tend to get neglected. Seniors should avoid climbing on ladders, and they may have difficulty reaching higher shelves if they cannot lift their arms over their heads easily. When you notice your loved one’s storage spaces are cluttered, offer to move things down to a lower level where he or she can sort through them. 

3. Going Grocery Shopping

Shopping for groceries involves several skills that begin to decrease in the senior years. For instance, your loved one may need help with grocery shopping if he or she can no longer drive safely or if memory issues make it difficult to remember what he or she needs. Since having a well-stocked kitchen is critical for meeting nutritional needs, helping with grocery shopping could enhance your loved one’s overall health. 

4. Cleaning Up after Meals

Many people don’t enjoy cleaning up after they eat, but seniors may have a legitimate reason for leaving the dishes in the sink. Heavy pots and pans may be too difficult for your loved one to wash in the sink, or he or she may have difficulty bending over to put the dishes in the dishwasher. 

Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated homecare services. Las Vegas families can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers in Las Vegas are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.

5. Scouring the Bathroom

Whether your loved one has a walk-in bathtub or a shower, cleaning the bathroom requires agility, balance, and strength. For some seniors, reaching every nook and cranny is impossible, and those with respiratory issues may not be able to breathe in the presence of heavy fumes produced by household cleaners such as bleach.

6. Doing the Laundry

Fresh linens and clothes are critical for seniors, especially those with health conditions that cause them to soil their clothing and bedding often. However, lifting heavy baskets of laundry and getting clothes, sheets, towels, and blankets in and out of the washer and dryer may be too much for your loved one to handle. Consider hiring someone who can manage these tasks while helping your loved one stay independent. 

Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing serious illnesses and require more extensive Las Vegas live-in care. seniors can count on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the in-home care they need and deserve. If your loved one needs assistance with the challenges of aging, reach out to one of our knowledgeable, compassionate Care Managers today.