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The weather is starting to turn, and it's time to indulge in the annual spring-cleaning ritual. It’s extra important for seniors to conduct spring cleaning checklists and let go of items that pose potential threats. So, clean out your garage, straighten up your parents' home and prepare your living area for the season ahead! Take a look at BrightStar Care’s guide to tidying up as the seasons change.
First things first—get rid of any items that may be harmful. We often overlook things that have been in our homes for a while and don’t realize they may become dangerous as time goes on. Here are nine things, according to AARP (Opens in a new window), that you should get rid of during this year’s spring cleaning:
Aerosol cans, batteries, motor oil, antifreeze and paint all need to be properly disposed of so they don’t contaminate the environment or accidently harm elderly folks, children or pets. Exposure to these substances and other household chemicals (Opens in a new window) can lead to headaches, allergic reactions and, in severe cases, respiratory illnesses. Go to Earth911.com to find a safe place for disposal.
Do you have piles of plastic containers sitting around “just in case”? Take a closer look at that plastic. Containers with recycle codes 3 or 7 may contain BPA, a hormone-disrupting chemical that leaches into food as containers age or heat up in the microwave or dishwasher. Replace containers made before 2010 with new plastic or glass ones, that don’t contain BPA.
With age, there often comes a greater reliance on medication. But what happens when you no longer need certain medicines? Too often, people let expired medication gather dust. Instead, toss old drugs in an eco-friendly way. Don’t flush them down the toilet or put them in the trash. Take them to official collection sites on National Take-Back Initiative Day, April 27. If you keep expired medications around, you risk someone accidentally taking the wrong drug.
Dried-up, decades-old spices won’t make you sick, but they won’t add flavor or nutrients to your food, either. According to experts at McCormick (Opens in a new window), seasoning blends last one or two years. Herbs and ground spices are good for one to three years, and whole spices last up to four years. Saving these age-old spices only adds to the clutter in your loved one’s home.
Makeup is only safe for a limited time. After that, infection-causing bacteria can start to grow, especially in eye makeup. Mascara only lasts two to three months, lip gloss six months and foundation six months to a year.
Did you know that 92% of contact lens cases are contaminated due to poor hygiene and lack of cleaning? Eye experts (Opens in a new window) say cases should be cleaned with a fresh soaking solution and dried every day. After three months of use, it’s time for a replacement.
Pillows older than 18 months contain fungi, dead skin and dust mites that can aggravate allergies, asthma and sinusitis. Try folding your pillow in half and squeezing out the air. If it doesn’t spring back, it’s too old. Beyond allergies and asthma, the Sleep Foundation (Opens in a new window) asserts that old pillows also contribute to sore muscles—a big concern for many elderly folks.
Canned food certainly last longer than produce, but these goods will expire after a while. Be sure to read the labels on canned products to learn how long it will keep for. Canned tomatoes and fruits are good for 18 months, while canned meat and vegetables last up to five years. Throw old, expired food away—if it’s expired, it shouldn’t be eaten or donated.
According to a study done by the Agricultural Research Service (Opens in a new window), microwaving your sponge can kill 99.9 percent of germs. These cleaning implements are rife with bacteria thriving in the damp crevices. Some of these bacteria are linked to severe gut and skin infections. To reduce the bad stuff, microwave your sponge daily in an inch of water for a minute on high heat.
Once your loved one’s home is free from any harmful materials, it’s time to get started on the rest of your spring-cleaning list. Here are just a few more tips for making the most of the season:
Around 36 million falls (Opens in a new window) are reported each year, and that’s only counting those among older adults. With such a staggering number, it’s clear that falls are not just passing dangers—they’re a public health concern. This year’s spring cleaning is a perfect time to evaluate your loved one’s home safety and focus on fall prevention. As you help them tidy up, consider the following tips for a safer living space (Opens in a new window):
Here’s another thing to add to your spring-cleaning checklist—fire safety. It’s a good idea to check smoke alarms and fire extinguishers regularly, and you might as well lump this task in with spring cleaning. Ensuring your loved one’s home is fire-safe will give you added peace of mind. Try these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration (Opens in a new window):
You’re armed with lots of spring-cleaning tips, but maybe you don’t quite know where to start. It’s understandable tidying up an entire home is overwhelming, especially when you’re doing so on behalf of a loved one. If you’re feeling stressed, implement these strategies while spring cleaning (Opens in a new window) for a senior loved one:
As we journey through life, the concept of home transforms. For seniors, a home isn't just a place; its a treasure trove of memories, comfort, and love. Yet, as time passes, maintaining a home can become overwhelming. Clutter accumulates, and cherished belongings can start to feel burdensome. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we understand the emotional significance of a well-organized home. Our mission is to help seniors transform their houses into serene sanctuaries filled with love and order.Understanding the Emotional Impact of ClutterClutter doesn't just take up physical space; it occupies mental and emotional space too. For seniors, every item often holds a story or memory, making it difficult to let go. However, too much clutter can lead to stress, anxiety, and even safety hazards.The Weight of MemoriesEach item in a seniors home can be a trigger for a fond memory or a significant life event. While these memories are precious, the physical accumulation of items can create a cluttered and chaotic environment. This clutter can make everyday tasks challenging and diminish the sense of peace in the home. Our approach at A Call to Order is to handle these possessions with the utmost respect and care, ensuring that memories are preserved while creating a more manageable living space.Embracing Change with CompassionChange can be daunting, especially for seniors who may have lived in their homes for decades. The thought of parting with belongings can evoke feelings of loss. Our team is trained to provide compassionate support, helping seniors make decisions that honor their past while embracing the future. We encourage keeping items that truly bring joy and serve a purpose, and we help find meaningful ways to repurpose or donate the rest.Steps to Transform a House into a Loving HomeOrganizing a seniors home is about more than just tidying up; its about creating a space that nurtures well-being and happiness. Here are some steps we follow to achieve this transformation:1. Initial Consultation and PlanningEvery senior's situation is unique, and so are their needs. We begin with a thorough consultation to understand their lifestyle, preferences, and the challenges they face. This allows us to create a personalized plan that addresses their specific needs and goals.2. Sorting and DeclutteringThe sorting process is handled with sensitivity and patience. We work closely with seniors to identify items that hold sentimental value and those that can be let go. This step is crucial in creating a more open and navigable living space. For items that are no longer needed, we provide options for donation or repurposing, ensuring they find a new home where they can continue to bring joy.3. Organizing and Creating Functional SpacesOnce the decluttering is complete, we focus on organizing the remaining items in a way that enhances accessibility and functionality. This might include rearranging furniture, creating dedicated zones for activities, and ensuring that frequently used items are within easy reach. Our goal is to create a home environment that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.4. Personalized Touches and Memory PreservationIncorporating personal touches is key to making a house feel like home. We help seniors display cherished photographs, heirlooms, and mementos in a way that celebrates their life journey. This not only adds warmth to the home but also provides a daily source of joy and comfort.Maintaining the Love and OrderCreating an organized home is just the beginning. Maintaining this newfound order requires ongoing support and simple strategies. Here are some tips for seniors and their families:1. Regular Check-ins and AdjustmentsLife is dynamic, and needs can change over time. Regular check-ins and adjustments to the home environment ensure it continues to meet the seniors needs. This might involve seasonal decluttering, rearranging furniture for accessibility, or updating organizational systems.2. Encouraging Mindful LivingEncouraging seniors to adopt a mindful approach to their belongings can help prevent future clutter. This means being intentional about what comes into the home and regularly reassessing what is no longer needed.3. Utilizing Support NetworksFamily members, friends, and professional organizers can provide invaluable support in maintaining an organized home. Regular visits and assistance with chores can help seniors feel less overwhelmed and more connected.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, our work goes beyond organizing spaces; its about enriching lives. We believe that every senior deserves a home filled with love, peace, and order. By transforming cluttered houses into serene sanctuaries, we help seniors rediscover the joy of living in a space that truly feels like home. With compassion, patience, and personalized care, we are here to support every step of this meaningful journey.
As the summer heat intensifies across the country, dehydration becomes a common and potentially dangerous concern. This condition can have severe implications, particularly for seniors who are more vulnerable due to several physiological factors. Seniors face unique challenges, especially when it comes to the impact of their medication on hydration. Why Are Seniors More Prone to Dehydration?Seniors are at an increased risk for dehydration for several reasons: Reduced Thirst Signal: As people age, their bodies lose their ability to recognize thirst, making it harder to drink fluids. Lower Body Water Volume: Older adults generally have a lower total volume of body water, meaning they have less fluid to lose before dehydration sets in. Kidney Function Decline: Kidneys become less efficient at conserving water with age, further contributing to fluid loss. Chronic Illnesses: Conditions such as diabetes can worsen the risk of dehydration since they affect the body's ability to control water. In addition to these factors, medication plays a significant role in influencing fluid balance in seniors.The Impact of Medication on DehydrationAs a clinical pharmacist, I've seen firsthand how medications can contribute to dehydration, especially in older adults. One of my clients, an active senior, nearly passed out while cycling in the summer. As it turned out, he was on a diuretic medication, commonly referred to as a "water pill." Diuretics are a class of drugs that increase urination, leading to reduced fluid levels in the body. These medications, often prescribed for conditions like hypertension and heart failure, can inadvertently lead to dehydration if fluid intake isn't carefully managed. Some commonly used diuretics include bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide, and furosemide (Lasix). But diuretics aren't the only medications that can cause dehydration. Other drugs like these can also affect your body's water balance. Antihistamines: Often used for allergies, these can cause dry mouth and reduced fluid intake. Blood Pressure Medications: Certain blood pressure medications can increase urine output. Laxatives: They can cause fluid loss through increased bowel movements. Chemotherapies: These treatments often lead to side effects like vomiting and diarrhea, contributing to dehydration.Managing Dehydration RisksIt's important to be aware of dehydration risks, particularly for those taking medications that impact fluid balance. Regardless of whether one feels thirsty, its important to drink water throughout the day. Staying alert to the signs of dehydrationsuch as increased thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, fatigue, and dizzinesscan also help address the issue early. These symptoms are early warning signs that the body may need more fluids. Finally, anyone concerned about dehydration should consult a healthcare provider. They can adjust medication and advise seniors on managing fluid intake to prevent dehydration. At Deeper Dive Horizons, one of my priorities is to guide you and your loved ones through the complexities of medication management to improve your well-being. With over 22 years of experience, my goal is to dive deeply into your health and ensure you maintain a balanced and healthy life, even in challenging conditions like extreme heat. Schedule a consultation today to get started 888-984-8895.
Here is your chance to live in a historically designated building two blocks from bustling Union Station. Built in 1882, The Barth Hotel was originally a liquor warehouse, but it was soon converted into an upscale hotel. While the Barth Hotel Assisted Living is historic, it provides a home with tall ceilings, large and expansive windows, and beautiful features throughout the building Senior Housing Options (SHO) purchased the property in 1980 to help solve the problem of older adults being displaced in downtown Denver due to gentrification. SHO continues that mission today providing residential communities and caring services to enrich the lives of older adults in Colorado. The Barth Hotel accepts Medicaid and private pay for a studio unit and is all-inclusive starting at just $4,000 a month. All SHO Assisted Living properties provide three home cooked meals a day, snacks, medication administration, 24/7-person centered care, housekeeping and on-site maintenance and life enrichment activities that are included in the all-inclusive rate. Call today for more information at 303- 534-7142 or plan to attend our open house on August 15, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at 1510 17th Street Denver, CO 80202. If a quiet, park-like setting is more to your liking, come visit our Park Hill Residence half a mile east of City Park near the Denver Zoo. Park Hill Residence was converted from a convent and still possesses its original charm. There are recently renovated rooms available with the same all-inclusive benefits listed above. These quaint rooms start at $4,000, Medicaid and private pay accepted. Another development at Park Hill is the addition of an Adult Day Program beginning Fall 2024 for people 60+ with dementia. If you would like Information about living at Park Hill or the Adult Day Program, they can be reached at 303-993-5049. Cinnamon Park is our beautiful, assisted living community in Longmont. Founded by a group of physicians in 1984, Cinnamon Park became a SHO community in 1992. We currently have availability that includes the same benefits all our residents at SHO assisted living communities enjoy with unit rates beginning at $4,000. Located in a beautiful residential neighborhood, they share the campus with our affordable living senior community and enjoy many shared activities. We also have open waitlists for many of our affordable housing units too, including hard-to-find two-bedroom units at September House or Decatur in Denver. If interested, please contact our main number at 303-595-4464. Senior Housing Options is celebrating 45 years of following our vision to assure Colorados older adults live and thrive in a safe, caring community regardless of their financial means. Please save the date to attend our anniversary celebration on Wednesday, October 16th from 6:00pm 8:00pm at the Space Gallery located in the Denver Arts District. Industry experts have been invited to speak and a buffet dinner will be served. More information to follow. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Christine at 303-523-3362 if interested. Senior Housing Options, Inc. (SHO) is a nonprofit organization that serves low- and moderate-income older adults and adults with disabling conditions. SHO is unique in that we provide affordable housing in both the assisted living and more independent settings to those who need it most. We are one of Colorados most long-standing nonprofits in the affordable housing sector, providing the best options for older adults and those with disabilities. Please visit SeniorHousingOptions.org and subscribe to our newsletter, to learn more and keep in touch our phone number is 303-595-4464 and email is info@SeniorHousingOptions.org.
BrightStar Care is about more than holding our care to a higher standard. Its about empowering our clients to live their best lives. Our nurses and certified nursing assistants are dedicated to giving clients the freedom and experiences they live forso these years can be as meaningful as possible.
BrightStar Care is about more than holding our care to a higher standard. Its about empowering our clients to live their best lives. Our nurses and certified nursing assistants are dedicated to giving clients the freedom and experiences they live forso these years can be as meaningful as possible.