5 Things That Make Household Chores Easier For An Aging Parent Living Alone

Trying to help a senior parent who is living alone can be difficult. If you’re also taking care of a family, or if you’re working full-time, you may not always be able to get to your mom or dad’s home to help them with chores, meal preparation, and other tasks.

In-home care can help you make sure that your mom or dad is taken care of. When your senior parent has in-home care they will get regular visits from a care provider who can help them with all of the household chores.

A home care provider can do things for your mom or dad like take out the trash, cook meals, prepare snacks, remind your mom or dad to drink water throughout the day, and do light cleaning. They can also take your mom or dad to medical appointments, do the laundry, and remind them to take their medications.

When you can’t make it to your mom or dad’s house every day to help with the chores, an in-home care provider can. In addition to in-home care these things can also make household chores easier for your mom or dad:

1. Lightweight Cleaning Tools

Heavy vacuum cleaners, mops, and brooms can be difficult to lift and maneuver, especially for seniors with arthritis or poor grip strength.

Lightweight cleaning tools are much easier to use and allow your mom or dad to do light cleaning on their own without putting strain on their hands and arms.

Look for cordless, lightweight vacuums that are easy to carry from room to room. Microfiber mops and dusters are also good choices because they’re effective and require minimal effort.

2. Grabbers and Reachers

Reachers, or “grabber tools,” are long sticks with a claw at the end that can grip items. These tools help seniors pick up things from the floor, reach high shelves, or grab items that are hard to reach without bending or stretching.

Reachers are especially helpful for seniors with poor mobility or balance, as they reduce the need for bending down or using stools. A simple grabber tool can make daily tasks much safer and less tiring for your senior parent.

3. Adjustable Furniture and Non-Slip Rugs

Getting in and out of chairs or beds can be hard for seniors if the chairs or beds are too low or too high. Adjustable furniture or furniture risers can help make sitting and standing easier. You can also get an adjustable stool that will make it easier for your mom or dad to sit down in order to do chores like cleaning counters or washing dishes.

Adding non-slip rug pads under rugs or removing loose rugs altogether can also prevent slips and falls. These adjustments make the home safer and make it easier to move around comfortably. Your mom or dad will feel safer and more secure walking around the house if they know all the rugs and pads are secured.

4. Easy-Open Containers and Jars

Many seniors struggle with jars, pill bottles, or packages that require a strong grip to open. Look for easy-open containers with pull tabs, flip-top lids, or even battery-operated jar openers.

These types of containers are ideal for seniors with arthritis or weakened grip strength. Using easy-open containers for food, medications, and other essentials can make it simpler for your mom or dad to prepare meals, take medication, and manage other small tasks around the home.

5. Automatic Timers and Smart Plugs

If your senior mom or dad has a tendency to forget tasks, like turning off the lights or stove, automatic timers and smart plugs can be a big help. Smart plugs can be set to turn devices on and off at specific times.

This feature is great for controlling lights or even small appliances. Automatic shut-off features on irons or stoves add extra safety, giving seniors peace of mind. These smart tools reduce stress and make managing a home simpler.

If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care in Long Prairie, MN, please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today.
Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us today at (320) 352-3350