How to Stay on Top of Household Chores as You Age

As you age, it can become more difficult to keep up with household chores. Stiff joints, chronic health issues, and decreased energy often make household tasks more difficult. However, maintaining a clean and tidy home is important for both your health and your quality of life. With a few adjustments and planning, you can stay on top of your household chores as you age.

Assess your needs

The first step is to take a close look at the household chores that you actually need to do yourself. As you get older, it’s important to conserve your energy for the most essential tasks. Consider asking for help with the more strenuous tasks, such as vacuuming, doing laundry, and yard work. Family members can lend a hand, or you can hire a home care agency in Leland, North Carolina, to help you clean and maintain your home.

Focus your efforts on the daily tasks that keep your home clean and functional: washing dishes, tidying up, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, taking out the trash, making the beds, etc. Cut back on elaborate cleaning rituals that may no longer be necessary.

Organize and declutter

A tidy, clutter-free home is much easier to clean and maintain. Go through your home and get rid of items you no longer need or use. Organize cabinets and kitchen cupboards so everything is easy to find. Get rid of old newspapers and magazines. Plan a trip to donate or sell unwanted furniture, clothes, and household items.

Decluttering reduces cleaning time and makes your daily and weekly tidying faster and easier. It also eliminates hazards like piles of papers and magazines that can cause trips or falls.

Separate the big tasks

Don’t try to do all your household chores in one day. Break tasks down into smaller, more manageable tasks that you can check off one by one on your to-do list.

For example, focus on one room each day: dust furniture and shelves, vacuum if necessary, put things away, clean surfaces or mirrors. You can also set a schedule, such as vacuuming bedrooms on Monday, cleaning bathrooms on Tuesday, dusting on Wednesday, etc.

Alternate heavy cleaning days with lighter maintenance tasks like laundry, dishes, and taking out the trash. Scheduling tasks helps keep you from feeling overwhelmed.

Use ergonomic tools

Specialized cleaning tools can make your household chores less taxing on your body. Use a long-handled duster to reach high shelves and ceiling fans without stretching. Attach a handle or pole extension to turn a mop or broom into a more upright tool so you don’t have to bend over.

Ergonomic buckets and carts allow you to transport cleaning supplies from room to room without having to lift heavy loads. Rolling laundry baskets and carts protect your back when you have to carry loads of laundry up and down stairs. Investing in useful gadgets can really help reduce the strain.

Take breaks

It’s important to listen to your body while you cleanse. Don’t overexert yourself: take regular breaks to sit and rest. Hydrate frequently and have a healthy snack to keep your energy up.

If you begin to feel pain, soreness, dizziness, or shortness of breath, stop what you are doing. Take a longer break or postpone the rest of the task. Persisting in discomfort can result in injury or falls.

Staying on top of household chores may require adjusting your approach and expectations. But with a little planning, energy conservation, and helpful tools, you can keep your home clean and livable as you age. If health issues begin to significantly limit your abilities, don’t hesitate to contact a home care agency for help.