Caregivers vs. Cleaning Services vs. Retained Chores: Which Chores Go Where?

As seniors age, one might prefer home-based care over assisted living facilities. Home care enables seniors to be close to their loved ones. It's ideal if they can perform essential roles with minimal supervision. However, seniors with motor issues may find it difficult to perform simple personal hygiene tasks over time.

Striking the right balance on the chores to retain or assign depends on the health of your loved ones and the kind of help you can comfortably arrange for them.

How do you determine what kind of chores a senior can handle comfortably and what goes to a caregiver or cleaning service?

Here are recommendations on how to breakdown different chores while caring for a beloved senior citizen;

What Chores a Senior Should Keep?

It all depends on the health of the patient. If they still have enough physical strength, doing light to medium chores should not be a problem. However, this can change as they grow older and frail.

• Making the Bed: Nothing says it's a new day like a well-made bed. Making the bed gives a person purpose and control of their personal space.

• Walking the Dog: Walking is a healthy exercise and a way to get some fresh air and add light cardio to your day. This chore is also a good bonding opportunity between a pet and its owner.

• Light Cleaning: Everybody enjoys a clean, clutter-free space. Picking up after yourself and straightening your living space is an excellent way to keep busy.

• Grocery Shopping: With the aid of a caregiver, senior citizens can enjoy shopping for themselves. Running small errands is an excellent physical and mental exercise if they have no mobility problems.

• Meal Prep and Light Cooking: Making a cup of coffee or a sandwich can be very fulfilling. Allowing your loved ones to prepare meals or even light meals could be a source of joy.

What Chores Can Caregivers Handle?

Caregivers can provide a variety of services for seniors in their care.

Here are chores a caregiver can handle;

• Light Cleaning: Caregivers can help keep the house tidy by doing light household chores such as light vacuuming for those unable to perform these chores.

• Meal Preps and Cooking: Caregivers can help prepare regular and special meals, especially for seniors with motor skills issues.

• Personal Grooming and Hygiene: Helping patients shower and groom themselves is part of the services offered by trained caregivers.

What Do Cleaning Services Offer?

Maid services and cleaning services provide deep cleaning and other demanding jobs for senior citizens.

Here are services offered by cleaning services:

• Routine Cleaning: Maintain general hygiene through routine cleaning. To achieve this, contract a cleaning service provider to do vacuuming, laundry, bathroom cleaning, and mopping as need be.

• Deep Cleaning: Cleaning carpets and scrubbing windows and ovens can be done now and then and maintained by daily cleaning.

• Extra Services: Mowing the lawn and keeping outdoor furniture and spaces clean can be part of the services offered at an additional cost.

Deciding on what chores to outsource and what your family member can comfortably handle depends on their physical and mental well-being. Should they need more help, then engaging a caregiver and having a cleaning service visit every few days might be the best option. However, this arrangement will change as they grow older and more dependent.

Do you live in Metairie and are looking for a caregiver to assist your loved one? Senior Helpers has you covered. Our Companion Care Services offers affordable, dependable senior care at home. Whether you need Senior Helpers' assistance 24/7 or just a few hours daily, we are here to help. Find your local Senior Helpers today.