CLEANING THE HOMES OF OLDER ADULTS Home Skills Enhancement Project

Older Adults May Need Help Shopping Transportation Meal preparation Cleaning Laundry Bathing Home Chore

Obstacles in Cleaning Older adult may never have had help Embarrassed about condition of home Sensory loss-vision, hearing Unrealistic expectations Not understanding scope of work Loss of independence Family dynamics

Old Fashioned Households Rigid schedule of cleaning Monday-washing Tuesday-ironing Wednesday-sewing Thursday-shopping Friday-cleaning Saturday-baking

Professional Behavior Strong work ethic of older adults Dress neat, casual, modest No smoking in homes Be courteous, call if late Know boundaries-report to supervisor if person is having money problems

More Boundary Issues Keep personal problems private Talk about neutral, social topics Focus conversation on older adult and their interests Confidentiality very important-don’t share information about other older adults Never ask for or take money or gifts

Setting the Mood and Tone Notify supervisor if person is very lonely Spend first few minutes visiting Give them your undivided attention See the person as unique individual Use a work plan Ask for input, suggestions, feedback Ask if others are cleaning home

Cleaning Homes Different attitudes toward cleaning Satisfying, makes you feel good Sense of order and control Benefits of clean, clutter free home More healthy Requires skills and knowledge Prioritize needs when time limited

Assessing the Environment May be rustic, not like our standards Honor the person’s desire to live the way they do Legal competence allows them to do so Report signs of neglect or abuse Assistive equipment in the home may require extra cleaning

Pets Beneficial for older adults May be allergic to pets Stuffy nose, skin rashes, asthma Dust and vacuum more often Wash hands after handling Keep off kitchen table and counters Use special dishes, keep separate

More on Pets Wash their dishes daily Keep off bed and out of bedroom Store litter boxes away from bathrooms and kitchens Change litter box when there is an odor Brush pets to remove hair Keep their beds clean

Clutter “Heap or assemblage of things lying in confusion” Paper clutter-newspapers, mail Kitchen clutter-food containers, meds Clothes, towels, general stuff on floors, surfaces Clutter adds to chaos and wastes time

Why We Accumulate Clutter Extras stored for future Huge collections of dolls or stuffed animals Unclear goals and priorities Some think it makes creative environment Sentimental attachment Lack of storage Dementia

Strategies for a Clutter Free House Establish a place to put things When you pick something up, put it away Put clutter in a box, remove what you use Quick pick up daily Set limits Keep stairs clutter free Storage boxes and systems

Risk Factors for Falls Older age, female, history of previous fall Chronic disease Mental impairment Medications Vision, hearing Bowel or bladder problems Muscle weakness, gait, balance

Things that Contribute to Falls Clutter in walkways Lack of stair railings or grab bars Dim lighting, especially on stairs Rugs Furniture, electrical cords Reaching above your head Rearranging furniture

Why We Clean Health, safety and comfort Cleanliness is goal, work plan is road map Regular schedule saves time Good habits will become routine Must set priorities-kitchen, bathroom, dusting, floors important Disinfecting sinks, faucets, toilets

Developing a Schedule Based on amount of time you have The rooms to be cleaned The number of jobs for each room Extra jobs that can be done if time allows Avoid distractions if possible Tidy up first Know what you are doing and why

Guidelines for Efficient Cleaning Higher to lower principle-clean upstairs first, higher to lower in each room Dry to wet principle-dry cleaning before adding water, dry rooms before wet rooms Inside to outside of house Chores first that require waiting time Have all supplies together Use cleaning fluids sparingly

Weekly Chores Bed linens Vacuum rugs, floors, upholstery Wash floors Dust, wipe doorknobs, pictures, mirrors Bathroom toilet, sink, tub, walls, floor Kitchen appliances, counters, floors Garbage cans

Sequence of Cleaning Rooms Gather laundry, sort clothes, start wash Clean upstairs bedroom, hallway, bath Living room, Dining room Bathroom Kitchen Porch

In Each Room Take all cleaning supplies in with you Stay in each room until finished Pick up soiled laundry, put in basket Empty trash into trash bag Pile misplaced things outside door Clean around room in circular fashion Top to bottom, floors last, make sure dry

Dusting Dust before vacuuming Spray-on waxes or pre-treated cloths Slightly damp cloth works well Spray lightly Rub in circular motion along grain of wood Slight downward pressure Keep several clean cloths ready

Vacuuming Grind dust and dirt into floor or carpet Dirt settles into carpets, makes tiny cuts Makes fibers break down, wears carpet The more you vacuum the better for the carpet Removes dust that circulates in the air

Bathrooms Least favorite room to clean for many Soap scum Hard water Goal is to prevent mold and mildew Shower chairs, other equipment Lack of ventilation a problem

Kitchens Most germ laden room in the house Sink, drain and dishcloths have germs Germs expected in bathroom are everywhere in kitchen Bacteria thrive in moisture and food Sweep floor around edges toward you to make a tidy pile Don’t lift broom off floor at end of stroke

Germ Stopping Habits Wash hands frequently Use paper towels Clean up dirty dishes promptly Empty trash every day Sponges vs. Dishcloths Wiping counters with dirty cloths spread germs

More Germ Stopping Habits Use the right size pots to avoid spills Use exhaust fan in kitchen while cooking Empty dishwashers promptly Ventilate the bathroom to remove moisture Close the toilet seat Squeegee shower walls after each use Mat at each entrance of home

More Germ Stopping Habits Close drawers, cupboards Keep closet doors closed Put things where they belong Have plenty of trash cans around house Avoid clutter