A messy home is one of the first signs that your senior may need help with day-to-day activities. House cleaning can be a surprisingly demanding task – especially when you consider all of the bending, lifting, scrubbing, and sweeping involved. As older adults go through the natural aging process, some of these tasks become increasingly demanding or even impossible. If you’re noticing clutter and messes in your loved one’s home, it might be time to consider senior house cleaning services.
In this guide, Seasons will explain the ins and outs of housekeeping services for seniors. Not only that, but we’ll steer you towards our Resource Hub, where you’ll find plenty of local listings of affordable, reliable home cleaning services near you. If your senior is starting to struggle with day-to-day cleaning, it might be time to consider other care options as well – such as adult day care, geriatric care managers, and much more.
But what are house cleaning services for seniors? Why might you need this service? And where can you find service providers nearby?
House cleaning services – keeping seniors hygienic and dignified
What are house cleaning services for seniors?
House cleaning services for seniors are specifically tailored towards the elder population. Some businesses may specialize in housekeeping for seniors, while others include it in their portfolio of service options. In either case, professionals come to the home and provide a range of cleaning services, prioritizing the most pressing concerns for seniors. Family caregivers can select the right services from a range of cleaning options, whether a senior requires frequent cleaning services or simply a “deep clean” once every few months.
Why would my senior need house cleaning services?
Seniors can benefit tremendously from home cleaning services. Pathogens, viruses, and bacteria all build up on surfaces over time, and seniors may be especially vulnerable to health issues as a result. This was a major concern for seniors even before the modern pandemic era.
Cleaning can boost household safety in many other ways. For example, debris left scattered across the floor can become a major tripping hazard. Sometimes, seniors are aware of the debris, but they simply aren’t physically capable of bending over and clearing it away as easily as they once could. This is why frequent visits from house cleaning service providers can help prevent falls and other injuries.
Remember, one out of every five falls results in an injury – and these injuries can be crippling or even fatal.
While scanning your senior’s home, a professional house cleaner can look for hazards such as:
- Clutter
- Debris
- Wet surfaces
- Loose or bunched up carpets and rugs
And don’t forget – just the act of trying to clear away debris and clutter can lead to falls. For example, a senior might trip on the cord of a vacuum cleaner or fall from a ladder or step stool while trying to dust.
Home cleaning services also protect a senior’s sense of dignity and well-being. When our elder loved ones lose the ability to clean, they may get depressed or embarrassed about the state of their home. According to the recent statistics, 57% of all seniors feel that it’s “very important” to have a clean house.
What are some signs I should seek out house cleaning services?
It will likely be obvious if you need to seek out home cleaning services. Your senior’s home may get pretty messy – to the point where you feel bad about them living in such an environment. Here are some specific signs to watch out for:
- A thick layer of dust on surfaces
- Dirty toilets
- Layers of accumulated scum on showers and bathtubs
- Clutter on the floor
- Unpleasant odors
- Overflowing garbage
- Messy dishes left in the kitchen
- Flies and other pests
This is by no means an exhaustive list, and there may be many other worrying signs to look out for.
Questions to ask yourself as you consider house cleaning services
If you’re wondering whether it’s to consider house cleaning services, just ask yourself the following questions:
- Would you feel happy living in your senior’s home?
- How much time are you or other family members spending each week cleaning for your senior?
- Has your senior suffered an injury while trying to clean?
- Is your career or home family life suffering due to your cleaning responsibilities?
- Is your senior more vulnerable to bacterial infections and pathogens?
- Does your senior have medical conditions that require high levels of hygiene?
What benefits do house cleaning services provide?
House cleaning services keep your senior’s home clean
The most obvious benefit of home cleaning services is the fact that your senior’s home will be kept clean and free of clutter on a consistent basis. Here are some specific services that a house cleaning company may provide:
- Organizing and decluttering closets
- Cleaning floors, walls, baseboards, windows, countertops, and other surfaces
- Vacuuming
- Dusting
- Sweeping
- Mopping
- Cleaning and disinfecting the kitchen
- Cleaning out the fridge
- Checking for spoiled foods
- Washing dirty dishes
- Polishing silverware
- Taking out the garbage
- Carpet and upholstery stain removal
- Cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms
- Ironing and changing linens
House cleaning services provide you with more time
House cleaning services give family caregivers a little bit less work to do, allowing them to focus on quality time with their seniors and freeing them up for other career and family obligations. Family caregivers often find themselves juggling not only house cleaning for their elder loved ones, but also responsibilities like transportation, check-ins, meals, and many other tasks. Home cleaning services allow family members to check one of these items off the list.
House cleaning services provide seniors with a sense of dignity
Maintaining a sense of dignity is important for everyone, including seniors. According to an array of studies, seniors often report feelings of hopelessness and depression when they feel their dignity is compromised. One study found that the lack of dignity among seniors in long-term healthcare facilities can even accelerate death, while another study found that having a strong sense of dignity can lead to feelings of freedom and hope for the future for seniors. Keeping their home clean is one of the easiest and most effective ways to maintain this sense of dignity and well-being.
Questions about house cleaning services
What are my options for house cleaning services?
Home cleaning services can be tailored to meet your senior’s specific needs. Options include:
- Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleaning sessions
- Deep cleaning
- Regular light housekeeping
- Hoarding/clutter removal
What questions should I ask house cleaning service providers?
When considering house cleaning companies, you want to make sure they are professional, courteous, capable, and trustworthy. You’ll also want to make sure you understand all costs. The following questions will help you do that:
- Are you insured and bonded?
- Do employees submit to background checks?
- Do you have references I can talk to about your services?
- What services are included?
- How do you price your services?
- Do you know how to identify potential safety hazards in a senior’s home?
- What kind of chemicals and cleaning products do you use?
- Do you bring your own cleaning equipment and supplies or should we have them on hand?
- Are you aware of proper disinfection protocols?
Talking about house cleaning services
How to approach the topic of house cleaning services with your senior
Talking about house cleaning services with your senior could result in reactions ranging from relief to resistance. Older adults may be insecure about the prospect of someone they don’t know around items they value, or they may be apprehensive due to embarrassment about their living conditions.
Because of the potential sensitivity of the topic, it makes sense to approach the conversation in a careful and considerate manner. Be gentle in your statements and speak to your concerns for their well-being. Try to gently guide your senior towards the possibility of receiving a little assistance with housekeeping. These are a few subtle questions that can help:
Questions to help a senior consider house cleaning services
- Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone help with basic cleaning?
- You work so hard to keep this place clean. Can I get you some help?
- Do you feel comfortable standing on chairs or step stools to perform housekeeping tasks?
- Can you imagine how much more free time you’d have with a cleaning service?
Paying for house cleaning services
How much do house cleaning services cost?
The cost of home cleaning services for seniors vary based on a wide range of factors. For example, you can expect to pay more if your cleaning visits are more frequent or longer in duration.
Specialized cleaning services command different prices. For example, if you were to find someone to clean your senior’s carpets or eradicate pests, this will have a different price structure than a straightforward weekly cleaning session.
The good news is that there are many options available, and you can select a cleaning service that matches your budget and your senior’s specific needs.
Can I get help paying for house cleaning services?
Generally speaking, Medicare excludes all homemaker services, including cleaning, shopping, laundry, and so on. That being said, there may be certain exceptions under specific circumstances. If your senior has health care issues that specifically require a deep cleaning of their home, a Medicare Advantage Plan may cover the costs. For example, a senior with respiratory issues may benefit from a medical perspective if their carpets are thoroughly cleaned on a seasonal basis. Medicare A and B may also cover temporary light housekeeping services after major surgery or injury, as these costs are typically associated with general in-home care options.
How can I find house cleaning services?
If you’re ready to provide your senior with a comfortable, hygienic, and dignified living environment, Seasons can help. Check out our Resource Hub today to find plenty of house cleaning services in your local area. With this free online resource, you can choose from a range of housekeeping options to find the best one for your senior’s needs and budget. Not only that, but you can also explore a range of other senior care options, such as geriatric care management, adult day care, and much more.