Caregiver Corner

SPRING CLEANING

For a Happy, Healthy Home

BY DEE DUREN, MANAGING EDITOR AND LINDSAY MORRIS

There are good reasons people get motivated to take part in spring cleaning. The sun is out, drawing attention to cobwebs on ceiling fans and the dust that has accumulated during the long winter months. Many people find their energy levels renewed and are ready to take a good look at what needs to be done. There are also longer daylight hours in which to get things accomplished. Caregivers have additional reasons to be motivated by the energy of spring. When faced with the responsibility of caring for another’s needs as well as your own, it’s all too easy to put off tasks like disposing of out-of-date medications and unused household products like cleaning supplies or paint. Clutter doesn’t just detract from the enjoyment of a home, it often makes us feel weighed down by the burden of too many possessions. Putting off tasks like replacing lightbulbs or batteries in a smoke detector can pose safety risks for everyone living in the home.

Declutter and Detoxify

The Centers for Disease Control offers the following tips for making a home healthier for you and your loved one.

1. DUST

Do deep dusting by cleaning ducts and vents to cut down on exposure to pollens and other airborne allergens. Don’t forget to replace air conditioning and heating filters as needed.

2. DEEP CLEAN

Use non-toxic products to deeply clean bathrooms and any areas of your home that may become damp, ridding surfaces of any mold and mildew. Get rid of any toxic products you no longer use like old cans of paint, solvents, yard chemicals, etc.

3. DISCARD UNUSED MEDICATIONS

Are there expired prescriptions or medications you or your loved one no longer take? Safe disposal – not by flushing – will lessen the chance of taking the wrong medication which could have serious health consequences.

4. DECLUTTER WALKWAYS

Check to be sure there aren’t any objects on the floor that could trip up your loved one. Keep doorways clear and make sure rugs on bare floors have non-skid backing. Rugs with corners that stick up or move underfoot can be fall risks.

5. REPLACE BATTERIES

If you haven’t done it already, change the batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector.

BURIED IN TREASURES

It’s easy for almost anyone to fall victim to having too much stuff. Caregivers may have merged a loved one’s possessions with their own – inadvertently becoming the keeper of items abandoned by more than one family member. Or you may be frustrated in your attempts to help your loved one clean out their home if they still live independently from you. If a caregiver is concerned that they or their loved one has crossed the line from a need to downsize to a hoarding problem, know there is help available. Hoarding is a psychological condition often tied to other disorders, according to Deborah Tommey. Tommey is a licensed professional counselor and behavioral health consultant for LIFE Senior Services. She leads the Tulsa-area group, Buried in Treasures. “Many times, people with hoarding tendencies can have depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder,” Tommey said. People with hoarding tendencies have a perceived need to save things. “It causes them distress to discard things because they see them as part of their identity.” Many people with hoarding tendencies grew up in a hoarding household. Hoarding can begin as early as the teenage years, Tommey said. According to www.mayoclinic.org, problems with hoarding gradually develop over time and tend to be private behaviors. Often, significant clutter has developed by the time it reaches the attention of others. It’s important to note that hoarding can put those living in the home in danger. For example, in the case of a fire or medical emergency, it can be difficult for emergency personnel to navigate the home. "They can't see very well because of the smoke. Their equipment may get stuck in cluttered hallways and rooms," Tommey said. "It’s important if you have a hoarding individual, to let them know that they need an open path for emergency personnel to navigate." If you or a loved one has symptoms of hoarding disorder, talk with a doctor or consider seeking out a mental health professional to work through a plan of action.

Call LIFE's SeniorLine at (918) 664-9000 for more information.

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