Whether you’re a recent retiree, well into your golden years, or an adult child helping your aging parents, below are some handy tips to help seniors keep a clean and safe home.
Make Safety a Priority
To increase safety for older folks, first ensure the home is free of potential safety hazards. Some things to check:
- Eliminate tripping hazards such as loose rugs, extension cords, or clutter in common walkways.
- Use sturdy non-slip mats, especially near entrances and in bathrooms and kitchens
- Ensure sufficient lighting by replacing dim bulbs with brighter daylight bulbs. Consider adding nightlights in bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms.
- If pets are present, make sure their water bowls are spill-proof to eliminate slipping hazards from spills,
Keep Tasks Manageable
- Break cleaning tasks into smaller chunks by focusing on one room, chore – or even a step of a chore - at a time.
- Use a checklist to ensure thorough cleaning. A checklist can also make daunting tasks less overwhelming.
- Schedule short sessions, such as 30–60 minutes at a time, to prevent fatigue.
Increase Comfort
- Keep a seat nearby and take breaks often.
- Tackle tougher tasks when energy levels are higher – often that means mid-morning.
- Use lightweight tools such as Swiffers, cordless vacuums, and easy-grip items.
- If you have a multi-level home, keep a vacuum on each level to avoid lugging a heavy vacuum up the stairs.
- Adapt for mobility issues – for example, consider using long-handled tools or grabbers to make tidying tasks easier and safer.
Declutter
- Evaluate possessions and ask if they still suit your lifestyle. If you’ve recently downsized your home, do you still need all that furniture and decor? Does that teacup collection still bring joy?
- If you have collector items on display, consider a glass-paned display cabinet or hutch to minimize dusting…and keep items safe from curious grandkids!
- Consider taking photos of keepsake items that are taking up too much room, and passing them down to a beloved child or other relative to free up space.
- If you choose to part with some items, consider donating to charity, posting on MarketPlace or, if you have a number of items to sell, hosting a garage or yard sale.
Get Organized
- Use clear bins and label clearly so you know what’s inside.
- Group similar items together in the same bin or box; this eliminates confusion and makes items easier to find.
- Store frequently used items at waist height or within easy reach.
- Do not pack bins or boxes too heavy for safe and easy management.
Consider Outside Help
- Engage family members, neighbors or friends – some may be eager to help.
- Use local senior services – many offer cleaning help or support for more rigorous tasks.
- Hire professional cleaners if needed.
Merry Maids specializes in cleaning for seniors, and we can customize our services to your unique needs. Whether you only need help with more rigorous chores such as scrubbing the shower, dusting ceiling fans or cleaning blinds, or you’d like weekly whole house cleaning, we’re here to help!
Nervous about inviting strangers into your home? Our team members are bonded, insured and professionally trained so you don’t have to worry. Furthermore, we understand that your belongings may have sentimental value, and we’ll treat them with care and respect. Don’t want us to touch your antique China collection? No problem! Want special care for your messy crafting or sewing area? We get it!
Helping Aging Parents
Are you an adult child looking for help for your aging parents? Sometimes seniors are reluctant to admit the need for in-home help. A Merry Maids gift card might be the perfect way to introduce your parents to the wonderful benefits of allowing the pros to clean, so they can relax – it’s done!
Many of our recurring customers are seniors who started services with a gift card and chose to continue recurring services once they realized how much easier life could be with professional cleaning help. Hundreds of our 5-star reviews are from senior customers who look forward to their weekly chats and clean home after a visit from their smiling Merry Maid team members.