Have you noticed your older relative’s home isn’t as clean as it was? Maybe they need some support.
But finding cleaning help for older relatives can feel like a bit of a minefield. Here are my tips for finding the right cleaner for your loved one.
Why get help with cleaning
Mobility problems, arthritis or fatigue can all make cleaning more difficult as people get older. You might have noticed that clutter is piling up, or the kitchen is not as clean as it would usually be. It might crop up when you’re chatting that keeping on top of the chores is becoming too much.
You may even have safety worries. Standing on that wobbly kitchen stool to clean the windows isn’t a great idea if balance is a problem.
Getting help to keep the home clean and tidy means older people can stay independent for longer. Less clutter means less risks of slips and trips. And most importantly, it frees up time and energy for the fun things in life, such as socialising and hobbies.
What can a cleaner do?
A cleaner can help with general cleaning:
- Vacuuming and mopping floors
- Cleaning the kitchen and bathroom
- Dusting
- Changing bedding
- Laundry
- Ironing
- Washing windows
- Deep cleaning of specific areas.
Of course, you’ll need to decide how many hours of cleaning are needed each week and agree this with your cleaner.
Tasks a cleaner doesn’t do
Cleaning doesn’t include personal care such as bathing, dressing or help with medication. It doesn’t include shopping or preparing meals. If your older relative needs this type of support, take a look at local home care agencies.
You can ask for a free care needs assessment from your local council’s Adult Social Services. This will look at your older relative’s need for support including home help, cleaning services and equipment. After the assessment there will be an income check, to see whether your relative qualifies for help with the costs.
Finding cleaning help for older relatives
When you’re choosing a cleaner, you’ll want to find someone you can trust, and who your older relative feels comfortable with. After all, they’ll be regularly coming into their home.
Look for an established business. Ask around for local recommendations.
In your initial conversation, ask about their vetting process. Are their cleaners DBS and/or reference checked? Do they have insurance? Will cleaning staff carry ID?
Will it be the same person who visits every time? And what’s the system for providing a replacement if your regular cleaner is on holiday or sick?
Getting started
It’s a good idea to arrange an initial trial visit to make sure your loved one is comfortable. You might want to be present too. As with all cleaning services, be clear about what you’re looking for, and agree a schedule with your cleaner so you know which tasks they’ll complete at each visit.
If your older relative is vulnerable
If your older relative has memory problems, dementia or physical disabilities, it’s important to tell your cleaning provider and have an honest conversation about their needs. There is free dementia awareness training available, and you could ask whether any of their staff has experience in this area.
While they are not there to provide care, a responsible cleaner will keep an eye open and flag up any welfare concerns.
Final thoughts
A regular visit from a trusted cleaner can provide peace of mind for you and an opportunity for a bit of chat and company for your older relative. It takes the pressure off family members, so visits are about spending quality time together, instead of chores. And most importantly, it leaves older people with more energy to do the things they love.
For more information about finding the right support for older relatives, visit Age UK here.
