Are
you aiding with the care of an elderly loved one? More than 34
million Americans
juggle this responsibility alongside their many other daily
obligations and interests. This can be challenging, leaving most
caregivers looking for ways to help lighten the load while still
providing the best for their parents, grandparents, or relatives.
One
easy, but often forgotten, way to help both yourself and your
relative is to hire a professional house cleaner. Why should you do
this? And how should you go about it? Here are a few simple reasons
to take this step now.
1.
Your Loved One Can't Do It Alone
As
the body ages, most tasks get harder and harder. Keeping up a home
becomes much more of a burden than it used to be.
What
used to be a quick tidy up of the kitchen before bed might now take
significantly more energy and work. As a person's eyesight becomes
worse, it's harder to see and rid the house of dirt and dust. And
even if they are aware of everything that needs to be cleaned, they
simply may not have the ability to do much about it on their own.
2.
Your Loved One May Be Injured
Attempting
to keep up with cleaning and maintenance within the home may not just
be difficult, it could also be dangerous. While the risk of injury
while doing standard home care tasks may seem small, it will
constantly rise as a person ages.
How
can a person be injured? Reaching up and bending over repeatedly for
daily cleaning jobs like vacuuming, dusting, and floor cleaning can
cause or exacerbate back or neck issues. A person who is already
experiencing some instability might actually fall and injure
themselves. And stirring up dust or using cleaning chemicals can
cause respiratory issues.
3.
Sanitation Is a Health Issue
Your
loved one's health is likely more fragile than ever. A home that is
kept as sanitary as possible helps protect that health. But many
older Americans can't see or remove some of the dirt and contaminants
that build up in the home.
Assess
how well your elderly relative is able to clean the home by giving
particular attention to the kitchen and bathroom — spaces that are
often the most contaminated in the entire house. The situation could
be even worse during the dirty winter months or in homes that don't
have sufficient lighting and ventilation.
4.
You Shouldn't Take Up the Load
Are
you, like many caregivers, gradually and almost imperceptibly ramping
up how much you do to help out around the house? You probably are and
you may not have noticed it.
Take
stock of how many added tasks you've taken on in the last few months
and years. This trend is unlikely to change in the future, so how
much can you realistically do in addition to what you already are?
What does it take out of your energy, time, and ability to do other
things you need to do or enjoy? Reducing this trend now helps avoid
problems of your own, such as frustration, resentment, or depression.
5. Everyone
Can Enjoy Life More
Retirement
years should be about doing the things that make a person happy. Can
a simple act like hiring some help with the routine care of the home
free up more time for your parent and their friends or family to
enjoy time together? Can they replace the time spent cleaning out the
refrigerator with time spent having ice cream with the
grandchildren?
Identify
what cleaning or maintenance tasks you or your grandparents enjoy and
feel free to keep doing these as long as it’s safe. But as you
identify things that they don't enjoy, outsource unwanted items to a
house cleaner instead.
Which of these
reasons is the most compelling in your family's circumstances? Why
not take the time to tactfully discuss your concerns or ideas with
your grandparent or elderly relative? At NorthStar
Cleaning & Property Services,
our home cleaners can help. Call today to speak with an experienced
professional who can help your family members stay happy and healthy
by helping keep their environment clean.
