5 Easy Strategies for Cleaning Up After the Holidays for Seniors Who Live Alone

Cleaning up after the holidays are over and visiting loved ones are gone doesn't have to be daunting. Seniors in the Scarsdale area can settle back into their normal routines in no time at all by taking it one step at a time.

In fact, it is always a good idea to have a plan no matter what the task at hand may be. This is especially true following the end of the holiday celebrations. Here are five easy tips and strategies for cleaning up after the holidays for seniors who live alone.

It's Okay to Take Your Time

Getting a home back to pre-holiday order doesn't have to happen all in one day. Seniors can avoid feeling overwhelmed by staying organized, making lists, and taking their time. Start with the simple chores like taking out the trash and washing the dishes. Seniors can do the heavier cleaning or dismantling and storing of holiday decorations in stages. Rushing around to get the house as spotless as it was before guests arrived is unnecessary and could prove stressful for seniors to tackle on their own.

Sort Out and Organize All the Gifts

One of the best places to start a post-holiday clean-up is to go through the gifts. Seniors can determine which items they might not want to keep for any reason and which ones they have to make room for. While sorting, seniors can also write down the gift and who gave it to them so they can send thank you messages later on. This is a good time to replace older, rarely used items by donating them to a local non-profit organization. Seniors can also repurpose holiday cards by cutting out and saving the cool images on them to be used as gift tags next year.

Start Taking Down Holiday Decor

Once again, there is no hurry to accomplish the task of removing and storing holiday decor all in one day. Organization is key here. It is also worth taking the time to store lights and decorations in boxes or airtight plastic containers. Labeling the containers as you go can help make next year's holiday decorating go much more smoothly. Don't hesitate to toss out old or broken ornaments or lights. It is amazing how much can be accumulated over the years causing extra, unneeded clutter.

Take Stock of Holiday Food and Leftovers

Now that all the baking, cooking, and entertaining is done, it is time to deal with all that holiday food. Seniors can check the refrigerator for spoiled food to toss or anything else they are not likely to eat. They can also use a vacuum sealer or freezer bags to store things they might want to enjoy later. After the holiday also offers the ideal opportunity to give the freezer and refrigerator a quick cleaning. Seniors can make their own homemade, non-toxic spray cleaning solution using white vinegar and leftover lemon or citrus rinds.

Don't Do it All Alone

There is no doubt that returning a home to order after the holidays is a lot of work. Getting help from family or from a Senior Helpers caregiver might be the smartest decision to make. In fact, organizing together and working as a team turns tedious chores into companionable fun. Seniors don't have to face cleaning up after the holidays alone. Sharing tasks can also provide another way to celebrate the giving spirit of the season.

Choose Senior Helpers for Quality Care

Senior Helpers is your number one resource for finding quality, in-home care for you or your senior loved one. Our comprehensive services are available in the Scarsdale, Port Chester, Mount Kisco, Westchester County, and White Plains areas. You can contact us anytime for more information.