Part of the reason to move into assisted senior living communities is the availability of housekeeping. These services make your life that much easier. With housekeeping services, you won’t need to worry about day-to-day chores. These can be handled by the community’s team members, giving you more time to do what you love, including socializing and hobbies. The fact that you won’t need to worry about day-to-day chores also puts you at ease and makes life generally more enjoyable. When choosing a senior living community, you should be aware that not all offer the same when it comes to housekeeping. Some communities will provide more than others for the package. The standard inclusions of housekeeping for most communities are:
Laundry Services
Many senior retirement communities offer housekeeping services that also feature laundry. They will clean everything from your clothes to your bedding. Some other items may require you to make a special request, such as if you want your curtains cleaned. The latter are not commonly cleaned regularly and may need special preparation to be done correctly. When moving into the community, ensure that the laundry services are up to your expectations. For instance, some people are allergic to fabric softeners. In this case, you would have to request the housekeeping team members not to use fabric softeners when cleaning your clothing or bedding. Health factors may also influence how you want some of your laundry done. People with skin atopy, for instance, may want their bedding and towels to be cleaned more regularly than usual and to be sun-dried rather than machine-dried if possible.
Pet Care
Some assisted living communities accept guests to move in with their pets. They have been shown to have a positive mental effect on conditions such as depression and can help an individual who needs assisted living services. In such cases, the housekeeping might include pet-related services such as grooming the pet and cleaning its enclosure or kennel. This might come automatically as part of the service or may require a special request to be done.
Surface Cleaning
This is one of the most fundamental aspects of housekeeping and is offered by virtually all assisted living communities which provide the service. Surface cleaning ranges from the obvious, such as mopping floors and vacuuming carpets and seats, to dusting surfaces. It may also include cleaning the kitchen and any utensils in the sink and your bathroom and bedroom. The former is particularly important, especially if you want to maintain your health. The bathroom would need to be cleaned regularly to prevent the formation of slime or mold, which could affect your health in the long run.
These are just a few of the housekeeping elements you can expect from your senior living community. Before moving into one, always clearly understand what they offer during housekeeping. Make any special requests you might have before you move in.
