Home Care Tips to Improve Air Quality for Seniors

Every breath is precious and you can dramatically improve each one for the senior family member in your life with just three simple steps.

Eliminate Mold

Eliminate mold completely. Check surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens and basements on a regular basis as mold grows well in these moist environments. Do not let mold linger as the spores they release can cause numerous respiratory issues and even serious illnesses. Mold is particularly risky for seniors who may have asthma or other respiratory difficulties. You can use a specialized cleaning product or you can simply use bleach to clean the affected areas. 

Clean HVAC Vents and Filters

Thoroughly clean the vents and filters in the home heating and ventilation (HVAC) system. Over time, heating and air conditioning vents can become full of dirt, dust and mold particles. To avoid re-circulating these particles as the air is heated or cooled, be sure to clean or replace filters on a regular schedule. Write the date you changed them on the filter. If the house is in a dusty environment or there are pets in residence you may need to change filters more often than recommended. You can remove vents to clean them thoroughly if you cannot vacuum them in-place.

Keep Dust to a Minimum

Although it is not possible to remove every dust particle from the home, it is critical to dust and vacuum regularly. Dust consists of soil, hair and skin cells, fibers, pollen, mold and other fungi spores and chemical pollutants. Dust can create serious health hazards to seniors with respiratory ailments.

It is important not to simply swirl the dust around with fans. Feather dusters can be culprits, so a better option is a damp soft cloth or a cloth sprayed with an electrostatic spray. A central vacuum system is preferred as it exhausts the air outside the home.

In-home senior care services allow you the peace of mind of knowing your senior family member is getting the personalized care they need, exactly where they most want to be -- in their own home.

A home care agency representative can discuss options with you to determine if in-home care is right for your family.  If you are considering senior care services for someone you love, contact us today.