Elderly Care in Dallas, TX
The hot summer sun may have burned off most of the pollen already, but for severe allergy sufferers, the suffering does not stop just because everything is no longer covered in the pale yellow dust. For many people, allergies are something they cope with throughout the year, though they may respond more severely to different allergens during the different seasons. Aging adults are no exception and many seniors actually report increased allergy suffering as they get older and their bodies become more vulnerable and less capable of fighting off irritants.
If your elderly loved ones suffer from allergies, it is important to make controlling those allergies a central part of your elderly care plan. Creating an environment that is clean, fresh, and as free from the allergens that irritate them as possible ensures your parents are more comfortable and less likely to develop serious health concerns related to their reactions.
Team up with their elderly health care services provider to try these strategies for keeping their home clean and as free from allergens as possible:
• Do it yourself. Your elderly loved ones may want to exert as much independence as possible, but if they have allergies, they should not be doing the heavy cleaning themselves. The act of cleaning itself stirs up allergens and can cause a serious reaction. Take care of the deep cleaning yourself and trust their elderly home care provider to handle some of the light tidying during their shift so your parents do not come into contact with even more allergens.
• Be careful when choosing your products. Though cleaning products are not allergens, the smell and the harshness of the chemicals can lead to similar reactions for those with allergies. Strong cleaning chemicals such as floor cleaner, mildew remover, detergents, glass cleaner, and drain clog remover often cause reactions such as wheezing, headaches, difficulty breathing, itchy eyes, and skin irritation. Avoid using these chemicals and choose natural, scent-free products instead.
• Remove clutter. Where there are surfaces, there will be dust, which means the more clutter is in the home, the more it will attract and hold onto irritating dust and dust mites. Remove as much clutter as possible and be sure to move items such as books, knick-knacks, and pictures when cleaning to get all of the dust that gathers around them.
• Wash linens in hot water. With today’s highly efficient washers and detergents, washing clothing in hot water is not necessary and actually puts a strain on your resources while damaging clothing fibers. Your bed linens, however, should be washed in hot water once a week to kill dust mites and remove other allergens as well as sweat, dead skin cells, and body oils that can accumulate on the fabric.
• Vacuum regularly. Invest in a high-quality HEPA filter vacuum and vacuum any carpets and rugs regularly. For extra effectiveness, sprinkle the floors with a combination of baking soda and Borax, let sit for 15 minutes, and then vacuum. Have the carpet deep-cleaned every six months. Avoid using steam cleaners or carpet shampoo machines on humid days as this fosters the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Elderly Care in Dallas, TX, Please Call The Caring Staff At Second Family Home Care At (972) 846-HOME (4663).