Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. Iāll be tackling the spring cleaning for my fatherās home, but there is so much clutter there, I donāt know where to begin. Do you have any tips for this job?
A. Many of us look forward to spring cleaning because it gives us the chance to shake off winter and it welcomes in a fresh new season. It gives us a boost after having everything closed-up during the winter. Spring cleaning may seem like a big project, but if we create a plan, we can take it on in bite size pieces. Make a list of the areas you want to tackle and the tasks involved. Clutter is the āmonsterā that keeps us at bay and it can be a make us hesitant to dive in to spring cleaning projects. So, letās put clutter management on top of the list. Eliminating it makes a home safe and easier to clean. Organize items that are not used or needed and put them in an area that is out of the way, ready for the trash or to be donated. The next bite size item includes evaluating medications that are lingering the home. Do a thorough scan of expired or un-used medication. This includes over the counter products. Dispose of these properly to eliminate any risk involved in having these around the home. The refrigerator and pantry can also use a spring cleaning so make it part of the process, checking expiration dates on food products stored there. Above all, be respectful of your fatherās needs and include him in the process. Go over your plan and ask for his input. Remember, you are in his domain and while your intentions are good, cleaning his space may make him feel stressed. One key thing to remember in this project is to be on the lookout for anything that may indicate he needs a bit more help at home. Your fatherās security, safety, and well-being is really at the top of the list!
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
