Maintaining a home requires regular inspections and repairs. While the parents of adult children have always fixed what was broken for years, aging can lead to new challenges. In order to live safely, older parents should receive ongoing support with home maintenance tasks.

A part of owning a home is checking that the gutters are not clogged with debris and the roof is not leaky. The yard must be kept in pristine condition with regular watering and mowing. Trees must be trimmed to prevent the branches from becoming dangerous projectiles during a storm.

Chores like these require physical abilities, such as good balance and sufficient strength. Climbing a ladder to inspect the gutters takes a great deal of balance, and mowing the lawn is reserved for those who possess the endurance to push a mower.

Older people are limited in the home maintenance activities they can independently perform. Due to a natural decrease in muscle strength, impaired vision, a decline in cognitive functioning or frailty, seniors are challenged with completing the everyday upkeep that they once performed effortlessly.

Adult children, however, can provide the essential help to allow their parents to live comfortably and safely in their own homes. They can check equipment to ensure they are safe for seniors to use; or, the adult children might arrange for professionals to handle the tasks.

Inspect Ladders

When an older parent insists that he is still capable of using a ladder, the adult children should inspect it. Ensure the ladder is stable, not wobbly and has all treads intact. Discard unsafe ladders. Advise the senior to never climb a ladder when no one else is at home.

Clean Gutters

Gutters require inspections twice annually. Schedule a gutter cleaning company to clean out the debris, leaves, and twigs from the gutters. Capable adult children or friends can accomplish the task on their own. Regardless, keep the gutters clean to avoid future water damage and additional repairs.

Schedule Lawn Care

Aging parents who are no longer able to maintain the yard will benefit from a lawn service. Adult children should arrange for routine lawn care. Weeds growing freely and debris collecting in the yard can be fire hazards or attract unwanted pests. Keep up on lawn care to avoid risks.

The interior parts of the home require an equal measure of maintenance. Adult children should inspect the property from top to bottom on a regular basis to locate hidden dangers and immediately repair them. The home should be safe for the aging parent at all times.

Check Plumbing Systems

Regularly inspect the plumbing system. Look for signs of damage, such as discoloration on the pipes, rust-like buildup, or cracking plastic. Replace damaged parts or call in a plumber. Check that the toilets work and are not constantly running—which can be costly in water and repairs.

Inspect Electrical Systems

Electrical hazards can be present in a home. Adult children will keep their elderly parents safe by checking the property for frayed electrical wires or damaged outlets. Replace appliances with worn wiring; or, call in a professional to repair them. Catch hazards before the senior attempts to fix them!

Lighting is important, especially at night. Check all the bulbs in the home to ensure they turn on with a flick of the switch. Replace bulbs that are faulty. It is highly unsafe for an elderly parent to stand on a chair at night attempting to replace a burnt-out bulb.

Inspect the Crawl Space

Adult children must inspect the crawl space at least once a year, looking for rotting floor joists, water intrusion, fire hazards, or insect invasions. If the senior lives in an older home, do not avoid this responsibility—a lack of maintenance can cause floors to give way.

Test Safety Systems

Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once per month, replacing the batteries once per year. Routinely check the fire extinguisher, ensuring it is not past its expiration date and is ready for an emergency. Also test the security system to confirm it functions correctly.

The abovementioned home maintenance chores seem relatively simple for aging parents to handle on their own. In fact, since they’ve managed home maintenance all their lives, they may believe they are still capable. However, safety is a priority—and adult children should bring in help.

When looking for contractors or handymen to perform specific repairs and inspections, choose experts who are licensed and qualified to do the work. An online resource offering a long list of reputable service professionals is Home Advisor. Also check company ratings before hiring.

Adult children should remain proactive in managing their aging parents’ home maintenance tasks. Otherwise, the seniors may unsafely attempt to perform them on their own. It helps that, today, adult children can support their older parents with these tasks remotely, too.

Hiring A Caregiver

Families can further support aging parents at home by working with the professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care. We are a reputable senior home care agency with a staff of licensed and bonded caregivers who are ready to serve elderly care recipients.

Professional caregivers are instrumental in ensuring seniors remains safe and healthy. We prepare balanced meals, shop for groceries, provide transportation to doctors’ offices and for errands, and serve as pleasant social companions. Caregiving duties also include help with personal hygiene tasks.

In-home care is desirable for seniors who wish to age in place. Assisting Hands Home Care provides optimum nonmedical care in the comfort of the aging adult’s home. Care services are flexible, too, ranging from respite care to live-in care, hospice care, and compassionate memory care.

Choose Assisting Hands Home Care and join our long list of satisfied families and their elderly loved ones. We are committed to enhancing the daily life of older adults. Call us today to schedule a free in-home consultation and give us an opportunity to serve the senior in your life.