Helping People with Dementia Maintain a Clean Home
Dementia can significantly impact a person’s ability to maintain their living space, affecting tasks like cleaning, personal care, and household chores. Individuals may struggle with memory, organization, and motivation to tidy their homes as the condition progresses.
Understanding the Challenges
Dementia affects housekeeping in multiple ways:
– Memory loss causes people to forget cleaning tasks
– Changes in vision and depth perception
– Reduced mobility
– Decreased motivation
– Difficulty planning and completing tasks
Supportive Strategies for Housekeeping
1. Approach with Empathy
– Be kind and patient
– Avoid criticizing or taking over completely
– Praise their efforts and existing cleanliness
2. Collaborative Cleaning
– Involve the person in cleaning activities
– Let them take the lead when possible
– Make cleaning a shared, enjoyable experience
3. Task Distribution
– Assign lighter tasks to the person with dementia
– Handle heavy cleaning yourself
– Examples:
– They can fold clothes or dust
– You can manage vacuuming and laundry
4. Professional Support
– Consider hiring senior-friendly cleaning services
– Explore in-home care options that provide housekeeping assistance
Our Adult Day Program provides support to older adults and seniors who have cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia and are physically frail. This program allows caregivers to receive some respite during the day to rest, recharge, and complete everyday tasks.
It is key to maintaining a person’s dignity, independence, and quality of life while ensuring a safe, clean living environment.
Citations:
[1] https://carehop.ca/blog/helping-people-who-have-dementia-with-housekeeping/
Author
Shiroman is a dedicated Marketing and Communications Specialist at ESS Support Services, driven by a passion for the non-profit sector and enhancing the well-being of seniors. With a strong commitment to community service, he uses his expertise to make meaningful contributions that support aging with dignity and joy. Through his work, Shiroman shares valuable insights, resources, and research to empower seniors and those who care for them. Outside his professional endeavors, he enjoys diving into self-help books, weightlifting, and discovering the city’s hidden gems.