Household Chores for Those with Dementia

Dementia and House Cleaning Tips

One of the symptoms of dementia is someone’s inability to maintain their own living environment as they did in the past. A family member who is acting as a caregiver may notice that their loved one with dementia is no longer keeping the yard tidy or the house neat. The reasons for this change can be that memory loss makes it increasingly difficult for the person with dementia to stay focused on a task from beginning to end. It may physically exhaust or overwhelm them to rake the yard or vacuum the house.

Simplifying Household Chores for Dementia Patients

Carefully planning a simple daily chore routine can ease the anxieties of the person with dementia, while also helping them keep their home neat, sanitary, and safe. Try these tips to develop a plan that works for your loved one.

• Narrow Down the Chore List. The first step is to determine which chores the person with dementia is still capable of doing. Perhaps they can sweep the kitchen instead of vacuuming the house, or they can fold laundry rather than putting away glassware. This is especially key in preventing a person living with dementia from experiencing a dangerous fall. Taking over the more strenuous or hazardous activities yourself can keep your loved one safe.
• Adapt Tasks to Meet the Person’s Abilities. For example, if the person enjoys cooking, set up a prep station that allows them to sit while they chop vegetables. Cooking with dementia means the person may need assistance when it comes to following a recipe, lifting heavy pots, or pulling hot pans out of the oven. Plus, cooking together is a great opportunity to keep the conversation going and learn about your loved one’s life experiences.
• Save an Activity for the Evening. Engaging in household tasks near the end of the day can be relaxing and help your loved one to expend their energy in a controlled way that distracts them from anxiety. The physical exertion of folding laundry or dusting can also promote a good night’s sleep.

Even if the clothes are hanging inside out and upside down, remember that it’s important for your loved one to maintain independence. It’s not so important that the chore is done perfectly, but that they have participated.

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Safety Considerations for Dementia and Housecleaning

As noted above, not all tasks are ideal chores for people with dementia. It’s a good idea to assess your loved one. Do they have difficulties balancing? Any chore that requires climbing or reaching might be better delegated to someone else. Do they get frustrated by tasks that require multiple steps? Help them break it down into more manageable tasks that they can complete over time.

On the other side of the spectrum, are there chores they seem to enjoy? Maybe they find dusting to be relaxing, or folding laundry to be soothing and satisfying. 

By keeping both safety and emotional well-being in mind, you can come up with household chores that will work for everyone involved. Anything your loved one can’t or shouldn’t handle can be assigned to a family member, helpful neighbor, or professional caregiver.

Let Us Help with the Chores

Whether you need help with household chores for seniors, people with dementia, or those with chronic conditions, the professional caregivers at Homewatch CareGivers^® are standing by. Our services don’t stop at chores; we’re here to help with a range of dementia care issues.

Contact us online or call (888) 404-5191 for a free in-home consultation with your local Homewatch CareGivers.