With age, people can have difficulty accomplishing ordinary tasks around the house. Aside from quality time with you, helping with tasks that have become challenging is one of the best gifts you can give.
Here are some ways you can help your parents around the house.:
1. Household maintenance
Fix broken pipes, leaky toilets, malfunctioning faucets, and other maintenance issues.
2. Safety
Install slip-resistant flooring in the entryway, inside the home, and in the bathroom.
Store medications and vitamins out of sight in a high cabinet or drawer if necessary.
Fix uneven or cracked surfaces on the walkway leading to the entrance
Install more lights throughout the house, particularly nightlights.
Install (or replace) smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
Set the hot water heater at 120 degrees.
3. Seasonal tasks
Moving boxes in and out of the attic (e.g. Christmas decorations or summer clothing)
Lifting heavy boxes up and down a ladder or stairwell can be very strenuous for anyone, but especially so for the elderly and those who may be experiencing physical changes.
If your parents have seasonal items that they store in the attic, it can be a huge benefit to them if you take on this task yourself when you come to visit.
An in-depth cleaning
Scrubbing bathroom floors on your knees, cleaning ceiling fan blades with a step stool, vacuuming in hard-to-reach places – these are examples of deep cleaning that will benefit your aging parents.
4. Miscellaneous household tasks
This can be things such as:
- ⬥ Replacing smoke detector batteries
- ⬥ Replacing bulbs in overhead lighting
- ⬥ Washing windows
- ⬥ Washing and rehanging curtains
- ⬥ Shampooing carpets
- ⬥ Rearranging furniture
It can be difficult or even dangerous for older adults to handle these tasks. Doing them for your parents is a great way to help them manage their home.
5. Outside work
Working in the yard can also be dangerous for older adults, particularly during the summer months when it is hot. Cleaning gutters, trimming shrubbery, and blowing off the roof can help your loved ones avoid an accident.
6. Tech support
Seniors who aren’t familiar with technology may find it intimidating.
Getting used to a new smart phone, setting up a Facebook page, and operating tablets, computers, and others can be frustrating.
There is technology in even the most recent vehicles that may be confusing.
When you walk your loved one through each step patiently, they will feel more confident and at ease using advancing technology.
It is easy to underestimate how much of a difference your help with these tasks can make in later life. However, as you begin to take care of your parents, you need to be sensitive to their feelings.
Many seniors feel embarrassed when they can no longer perform certain tasks easily.
They may think you are judging them for not having them done already. Consequently, they may attempt strenuous tasks before they see you again.
7. Help your parents organize their important paperwork
In almost all medical and financial situations, you need the following records:
- ⬥ deeds to properties
- ⬥ death certificate for a spouse
- ⬥ pension benefits
- ⬥ deeds to cemetery plots
- ⬥ birth certificate
- ⬥ military discharge papers
- ⬥ marriage certificate
- ⬥ divorce decree
- ⬥ citizenship papers
- ⬥ medical or financial power(s) of attorney
- ⬥ insurance policies
Additionally, consider making some authenticated copies of the documents in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Whether you keep papers with your parents or at your home is up to you, but remember that they should be well-organized, stored in a secure place, like a safe deposit box, and easily accessible whenever they are needed.
For other help managing your home maintenance and documents, please discover these posts.
Tips for Creating a Home Maintenance Plan
HomeZada Launches Document Scanning Features
