Safe Spring Cleaning for Seniors

By: Caren Parnes | For The Senior’s Choice

linens and airing out the house after a long winter.

While cleaning house has remained part of our culture, new products such as wipes, natural-ingredient cleaners and electrostatic dry mops and mitts make the annual job easier. But in spite of the innovations, spring-cleaning still involves indoor and outdoor chores that can be challenging to those dealing with vision loss, limited mobility, balance problems and other chronic conditions of aging.

Experts say clearing out clutter that has accumulated during the winter is a particularly important part of spring-cleaning. Caregivers caution that falls are the number one cause of emergency room visits and the leading cause of injury deaths among people 65 and older. Falls can happen anywhere, but most falls by the elderly happen at home during daily activities in kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and on the stairs.

To ensure a safe spring, remove all tripping hazards, including piles of magazines, newspapers and books. Put away seasonal decorations. Repair any tears in linoleum or carpets. Remove scatter rugs and mats you may have placed by doorways to keep from tracking in snow and ice and any towels tucked along the bottom of doors to cut down on drafts.

Trade in scruffy slippers and bulky winter robes for better-fitting footwear and sleepwear. Use non-slip mats by all exterior doors, on bathroom floors and in tubs. Check for ice damage on outdoor steps, porches and walkways. If you find any, get someone in to do repairs immediately.

Family members can help older adults with spring-cleaning by organizing the task ahead of time, then pitching in with chores requiring heavy lifting or tasks requiring the use of ladders or stepstools. For starters, having the right cleaning tools and products on hand to clean floors, walls, furniture, fabrics, tile and other surfaces can make the whole job easier.

Following are a few additional suggestions to help seniors safely tackle spring-cleaning projects.