4 Ways to Improve an Indoor Environment for Seniors
If your aging loved one spends most of their time inside the house, it’s critical to enhance their indoor living environment. Every older adult should benefit from a clean and comfortable dwelling—free of unpleasant odors, excessive dust, leaks, mold, and other health hazards.
However, as people age, they often experience changes in their senses and may not smell strange odors or notice when the temperature changes. Older adults may also develop mobility and cognitive issues that prevent them from identifying household problems or recognizing when repairs are needed.
Professional Care Services Can Maintain a Healthy Home for Your Senior
A Visiting Angels caregiver can offer companionship and in-person support for your loved one while upholding sanitary conditions inside their home. Here are some tasks an in-home caregiver can provide to help your senior maintain a healthy indoor environment:
Make Sure the HVAC System Is Working
If a house becomes musty, stuffy, too hot, or too cold, the culprit could be the HVAC system. A quick test using the thermostat may be all it takes to determine if settings are incorrect or if certain systems aren’t working properly.
A caregiver can monitor temperature changes and suggest when to call an HVAC professional. Consider scheduling an annual HVAC service visit to ensure your loved one’s system functions properly.
Let in Some Fresh Air
Open windows can improve indoor air freshness—but it’s important to check local air quality if your senior has asthma or allergies. When the weather is ideal, opening a patio door or window for just a few minutes can help aerate the indoor environment.
Eradicate Odors
Visiting Angels can assist with light housekeeping duties that help keep the home odor-free. A caregiver can lend a helping hand by replacing a dirty pet bed, cleaning out spoiled food from the refrigerator, spraying fabric refresher on a favorite chair, putting baking soda down the kitchen drain, and completing other tidying tasks.
Manage Indoor Allergens
A professional caregiver can help prevent common indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mold, insects, and other pests. They can clean hard-to-reach spaces, vacuum rugs, and remove dust to help prevent allergy flare-ups.
Visiting Angels will help your older adult stay safe and comfortable by maintaining a clean, healthy home. Contact our Cleveland office for a no-cost, no-obligation in-home consultation.
