The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and the world is unthawing … so why does it feel like you’re still stuck with the winter blues? If you haven’t yet started making your spring cleaning to-do list, that might be the answer. Experts are finding that spring cleaning (in all its various forms) helps us get a good jump-start into the year ahead.
“Springtime is the perfect time to freshen up our home by giving it a good cleaning, making sure everything is in tip-top shape for spring, summer and beyond,” says Cindy Wirth, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury, a memory care assisted living community in Sudbury, MA. “For caregivers, spring is a great time to take a fresh look at tackling caregiver duties while you’re making sure your home is fresh and clean.”
Cindy says that it’s normal to get into a rut as we do our daily tasks, and caregiving is no exception to that rule. While our routines can be helpful, they could also probably use a tune-up after time has passed and new situations arise.
“We all feel more motivated and energized in the spring, which makes it a perfect time to review your care plan and routines and see where you can make improvements – and what parts are working just fine,” she says. “By taking stock of your current situation, your loved one’s health and needs and other factors, you can get your caregiving routine in peak shape for spring.”
Here are some tips for spring cleaning your caregiver routine (as well as some tips for helping get your home and health in order for 2020).
Analyze your care plan.
Sit down with your calendar and take a hard look at everything you’re doing – daily, weekly, monthly and beyond. What does your schedule look like now? What parts are working for you, and what could use a little tweaking? Don’t try to do this in five minutes or even an hour – dedicate a good chunk of time (like an afternoon or an entire day) to really examine everything you’re doing.
Make a pros and cons list of all the tasks and routines that are working (and which ones aren’t). For the ones that are working, why? And even if they work, can they be improved? For ones that aren’t working, what’s causing that? How can you make adjustments in order to take the load off your shoulders, increase productivity or whatever else?
It can sound intimidating, but remember that every problem can be solved, no matter how big or small. This exercise is meant to help you relieve stress and find workarounds for issues that you may have – not make you feel more stressed out. If you are feeling overwhelmed, consider bringing in a friend, secondary caregiver or another professional to help you with the process. Sometimes two heads really are better than one, especially if you have “blind spots” about what’s working and what’s not.
Plan some outdoor time.
As the weather gets warmer, we naturally want to spend more time outdoors. That’s great news, because studies show that any amount of physical activity and exercise can help us remain healthy, improve our health conditions and provide a better quality of life for seniors. After being cooped up indoors for months on end, it can feel very rejuvenating to stroll around the block, go birdwatching or simply sit on the patio with a cool drink.
The great outdoors has many benefits for seniors besides exercise. Sunlight provides a much-needed dose of Vitamin D, which improves bone health, prevents cancer, improves mood (and lessens risk of depression) and many other benefits. Fresh air has also been proven to have antibacterial properties – science isn’t completely sure why just yet, but studies have been done that show improved health in places like hospitals and dormitories when fresh air has been allowed to circulate freely. So throw open those windows and breathe deeply – it’s good for you!
Air out the allergens.
Speaking of fresh air, spring is prime time to shake off the dust that’s accumulated during the winter months. Do a thorough deep-cleaning of the house, making sure to get in all the crevices and cracks (and filling them in if necessary). Spring is prime allergy season (and so is summer), so get your home ready to ward off the sneezes. Allergies can end up transforming into colds, pneumonia and other illnesses for seniors, so it’s best to nip it in the bud before any sniffles start.
Wash bedding like comforters and pillows and dry them on hot heat in order to kill dust mites. Clean off fans to ensure the circulating air is dust-free. Change your furnace filters – you may also wish to look into whole-home filtration systems that attach to your HVAC and thoroughly sanitize the air. You’ll also want to get your AC tuned up before turning it on. That will ensure it’s free of mold or dust, and also makes sure you’re ready to close the windows and crank up the air when pollen starts to drift.
Establish good cleaning habits.
“I never want to get this house dirty again!” you say after doing a deep clean of your home. Make sure you make good on that promise by establishing a new cleaning routine in order to tackle clutter and grime before it happens. The best way to accomplish this is by breaking down your routine and making it manageable. Little things can add up quickly. Here are some ideas for helping tackle your daily mess:
- Spray down the shower after every use to keep limescale and other nasties from accumulating.
- Break tasks down into days: Monday is laundry day, Tuesday is bathroom day, etc. Subdivide these until you get your tasks under control.
- If you live with others, enlist them to be responsible for certain chores. You can even keep a rotating schedule in order to keep things fair.
Exceptional Care & Engaging Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury provides exceptional memory care in a comfortable and engaging environment. Designed specifically to support those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community delivers a wellness-focused lifestyle that respects individual preferences and abilities. Our teams receive ongoing, specialized training so they may help residents to safely exercise their independence in a secure, calm environment.
Dedicated Memory Care
Our expert dementia care and comprehensive services are tailored to meet the unique needs of our residents, wherever they are on their journey with memory loss. Our life enrichment programs are personalized to residents’ interests and abilities, providing joy and meaning in daily life and enhancing emotional well-being.
Purpose-Built Design
Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury is more than a safe, beautiful place to live; it’s truly a home, where compassionate, dementia-educated caregivers help people with memory loss live more fulfilling lives. Our research-based design features soft lighting and colors, non-glare flooring, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life-enrichment stations that empower residents to comfortably move about their home with confidence.
Contact us today to learn more.