Caregivers and Families: Spring is Here and it’s Time to Clean!

By CarePatrol of Cincinnati-SW Ohio

We are reaching the time of year when our cabin fever is breaking. We are peeking our heads out from under the covers realizing we have a mess. We have heard, and I’m sure participated in, “Spring Cleaning” for most of our lives. This ritual is never more important than when we are a caregiver for a senior or even better, just to help mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa out around the house.

Spring cleaning isn’t only about knocking down the cobwebs, cleaning out the fireplace or dusting the coffee tables. It is about safety and assuring that your loved one is safe in their home.

Spring is a great time to make sure all alert system batteries have been changed. This includes med-reminder and medical alert systems as well as smoke and carbon monoxide detection devices. This should be considered not just in the spring, but in the fall as well. Our local fire chief recommends changing batteries on alert devices twice each year when a time change occurs. While changing batteries it is also a good idea to make sure all light bulbs are in working order and that rooms and pathways are properly lit both inside and outside the home.

Another thing to consider while doing the annual cleanup is to check expiration dates on foods, medicines, and cleaning supplies. This can free up some much-needed storage space in bathrooms and kitchens. Storage space is almost always at a premium for those who have built up a lifetime of memories around them.

It may be a good idea to have a set starting point, say a certain room, attic or section of the garage. Don’t overdo it right out of the gate; pace yourself.

Spring cleaning can be a positive and fun experience. It is a good way of bringing the family together to bond while making a senior’s home healthier and safer. It gives the senior empowerment. It will make them feel better about where they live and more importantly about those who care for them.