No matter what part of the country you live in, the days are getting longer, and the temps are getting stronger. For many of us, that’s a great reason to celebrate. Spring is also the perfect time to do some cleaning, both inside and out, as you and your elderly parent prepare for the brighter days of spring and summer.
Each family will have its own agenda on what is needed around your parent’s home or apartment. Here are a few tried and true areas to clean out this spring to create a cleaner, more inviting home for your elderly parent.
Outside
If your parent has a yard or patio area, the end of March is a good time to start looking at picking up any debris that either the snowplows pushed into the yard or the wind carried in. It’s also a great time to rake and get that soil ready for growing and planting. Many outdoor activities may be a bit too strenuous on your parent so enlist help from younger family members or even your elder care provider to help. Whether they assist or do all the work for your parent, your parent is sure to smile at a cleaned-up yard or patio.
Garage
The garage is another area that tends to get dirty during the winter as vehicles bring in salt, sand, and melting snow. Sometimes just pushing a big broom across the floor can really clean up the area. But spring can also bring the task of reviewing what is all stored in the garage and see if there are items to toss or donate. The garage can tend to be a place where things just get placed until further consideration can be taken. Use this spring to take that further consideration and find a home for all of those miscellaneous items that just take up space in the garage.
Car
If your parent still has a vehicle, spring is a great time to clean up her vehicle as well. Floor mats can be cleaned, the outside can be washed, and windows can be wiped down, both inside and out. A clean car is actually a safer car for your parent to travel in so don’t neglect this important area to clean during National Cleaning Week.
Inside
This can be a huge task as you look at all the rooms in your parent’s home or apartment that could use a little spring sprucing up. Do an inventory with your parent about which areas she’d like to see cleaned up and then see if you can divvy them up to different individuals. Your elder care provider may be able to help with cleaning windows or giving floors near doors a good scrub. You might ask family members to help clean up that huge pile of mail that has accumulated on the counter. You can help your parent go through cupboards and the refrigerator to clean up spills as well as discard expired food items.
A clean home can reduce anxiety and lift spirits. You don’t have to get it all done during National Cleaning Week, but it’s a great time to start!
If you or an aging loved one needs Elder Care in Lincoln, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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