How to Navigate Home Maintenance as a Senior

As you age, maintaining a clean and organized home can become increasingly difficult. As your mobility and energy levels decrease, common household duties and outdoor chores can be challenging, ultimately leading to a cluttered and potentially unsafe home. Here, the home care providers at Avila Home Care discuss how to navigate home maintenance as a senior to keep your home tidy and safe. 

Make Modifications as Needed 

As you age, you may need to make certain changes to your home due to recent limitations in mobility. Part of your home maintenance should include making all of your cleaning supplies accessible, meaning you may have to re-organize cabinets or switch out shelving units so that you do not injure yourself trying to climb or reach for anything. In addition, consider investing in tools to make cleaning easier, such as a robot vacuum cleaner. Finally, do not feel that you have to take on home maintenance all by yourself. If you are able to, look into scheduling continuous maintenance for your home through lawn companies or cleaning crews, and take the burden off of yourself. Try reaching out to family, friends or neighbors who may be able to help as well.  

Keep a Clear Path 

Seeing as 1 in 4 Americans over the age of 65 experience a fall each year, keeping a clear path both inside and outside of the home is an essential part of your home maintenance routine. If you are mobile enough to keep your home clutter-free on your own, make a schedule for cleaning each room or have a family member or friend come help if you cannot do it on your own. If you would like a more thorough cleaning of your home, consider hiring a cleaning service to come on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to ensure that your home is kept clean and free of clutter that could lead to a fall. In the fall and winter seasons, also consider hiring lawn maintenance professionals or snow shovelers to keep a clear path for walking from your car to your home, and make sure you take preventative measures such as salting the sidewalk when the weather is harsh to prevent slipping on ice. 

Do Continuous Home Safety Checks 

One of the most important home safety tips for seniors is continuously checking different areas of the home to make sure they are safe. For example, checking doors, windows and floorboards to ensure nothing has come loose can prevent serious injury for you or your loved one. In addition, making sure the batteries are replaced in all fire and carbon monoxide alarms is vital. If you have a loved one that is in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, having working alarms can ultimately save their homes and lives if something was left unattended such as food on a stove. Additionally, be sure to not overlook any electrical cords that may be fraying or broken, as this could lead to a fire, and ensure that all cords are tucked away to prevent falls. 

Learn More With Avila Home Care

As a senior, remaining in your home can bring a sense of comfort and security to many. However, the time and effort that goes into cleaning and maintaining your home can become a burden as your mobility decreases. Avila Home Care offers supportive services and light housekeeping to keep your home tidy and safe. To learn more about Avila’s services, contact one of our dedicated home care providers today. 

The aging in place caregivers at Avila Home Care always encourage readers to discuss any health questions or concerns with a qualified healthcare professional.

Some content in this article was sourced from Aging Care, Senior Advisor, Health in Aging and NCOA. 

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