Cleaning for Seniors: Tips to Get it Done

The thought of cleaning your home from top to bottom may feel overwhelming, but we’ve put together a few tips to take the tension out of the task. 

Declutter your medicine cabinet. Take stock of all your medications and prescriptions, including OTC items. Older or expired drugs dispose of them properly.  Portion out your daily medications into a pill organizer to help you stay on top of which ones to take and when to take them. Don’t forget to double-check the expiration date on personal items like make-up, sprays, and lotions.

Do away with the paper trail. If you’re subscribed to a daily paper or monthly magazine, give yourself a deadline of a week or two to comb through the pages, and recycle the contents promptly.

Organize the important stuff. Track down your financials, birth certificate, up-to-date health records, and passwords to your computer and electronic devices. Get a labeled binder or folder to file them in.

Make it a family affair. Enlist the help of friends or family, and turn the mundane of cleaning into fun, family moments. Having an all-hands-on-deck approach can help things run smoother and more efficiently.  Cap off the day by preparing a meal for everyone as a token of your gratitude, or ‘phone it in’ and order some pizza – always a crowd pleaser.

Cleanse your closet. While you’re sorting away, don’t forget to tackle your closet. They say if you haven’t worn the item since last year’s spring cleaning, chances are that you won’t be wearing it again. If you have clothes taking up space in your closet, why not donate.

Lastly, know your limits. While spring cleaning is a necessity, fall or injury prevention is even more important. Don’t attempt moving furniture or heavy objects on your own. And never stand on a chair or a ladder to clean hard-to-reach areas or to change bulbs. For the caregivers or family members out there.

Source: https://catholiceldercare.org/newsevents/stories/spring-cleaning-seniors-tips-get-it-done/