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5 Spring Cleaning Tips for Seniors

The days are longer, and the temperatures are warmer. Now that spring has finally arrived, seniors can clean, refresh, reorganize, and declutter their spaces.

However, limited mobility and chronic health issues can make tackling ‌spring-cleaning chores challenging for older adults. With nearly 40% of people age 65 and older experiencing at least one disability, many seniors struggle with basic household tasks.

Fortunately, Right at Home Milwaukee North is here to help! Keep reading to learn five simple hacks that make spring cleaning easier for seniors.

1. Make a Plan

The thought of cleaning your entire house in one fell swoop seems daunting. Luckily, making an action plan can help. Before you start cleaning, take a careful inventory of every nook and cranny in your home. Go through every room, closet, and drawer to see what needs cleaning, decluttering, and organizing. You should note any obstacles, such as hard-to-reach areas or heavy furniture. After you make your list, create a plan for cleaning one area of your home at a time. We recommend tackling the most challenging areas first to get them over and done with.

2. Work in Small Chunks

Don’t feel obligated to clean your whole home in one day. This will make you feel overwhelmed before you even start. Dedicate one to two hours a day to cleaning. If you’re feeling up to it, spend more time cleaning. Despite what the name implies, spring cleaning doesn’t have to be completed in one season.

3. Get Someone Else to Do the Heavy Lifting

Do you want to dust, mop, or vacuum under your bed or sofa? Need to get rid of an old dresser? Seniors should never attempt to lift or move heavy objects themselves, especially if they have mobility problems or reduced strength.

Ask your friends or family to assist you. Hiring a professional moving company to remove old furniture from your home might also be a good idea.

Some great moving companies in Whitefish Bay include Badger Brothers Moving and All My Sons Moving and Storage.

4. Check Medications, Alarms, and Fire Extinguishers

Spring cleaning isn’t just a time for mopping, dusting, and vacuuming. It’s also a great opportunity to conduct safety checks. Go through your bathroom cabinet and check all of your medications. Are some of them expired or need to be refilled? Toss the expired meds and call your doctor right away to order new ones.

Seniors should also routinely check their fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide alarms. Ask a trusted friend or relative to check your detectors, as standing on a ladder or chair can be dangerous.

5. Ask for Help

Need a hand cleaning your home? Call Right at Home Milwaukee North! Our friendly in-home caregivers can assist you with light housekeeping. They’ll also help with medication management, meal planning and preparation, personal grooming, transportation, and more.

Shawn McComb

I’m Shawn McComb and I’m the Owner of Right at Home in the Milwaukee area. Along with my wife Lisa, we’ve operated our locally-owned Home Care business for over 7 years. Combined, we have more than 40 years of experience in the medical and non-care medical healthcare industry. Our team offers a wide range of in-home Personal, Companion, and Respite and Transportation services to clients, by caregivers who are bonded, insured, background checked and drug screened. We provide care in client’s homes, Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care communities. Our operating standards and culture are centered around providing best-in-class care. Caregivers go through a comprehensive set of training modules to assure that their competencies meet our client’s needs. We welcome the opportunity to serve you!