Dusting
- Dust with a damp lint free cloth.
- Use motions that will not spread dust.
- Dust furniture, pictures, windowsills, blinds, etc.
A clean home provides a healthier and safer place to live. Cleaning removes dust, mold, mildew and bacteria from the air and surfaces in the home. This helps to prevent germs from spreading and makes breathing easier. Clients, who are elderly or have disabilities, may be physically or mentally unable to take care of their home environment.
Remember to clean from the cleanest areas to the dirtiest areas. Plan your work so that you can complete all assigned tasks before you leave. Try to establish a routine. Always follow the instructions on the label of a product. Do not mix products together. Store all cleaners away from children, pets and heat sources. Change the cleaning water frequently. Rinse well to avoid streaking or film.
As a Caregiver, you may be assigned to perform housekeeping tasks for the Client. Your assignment sheet will tell you exactly which tasks you are to do. It is important to remember that you are not there as a housekeeper for the entire family. The housekeeping tasks that you provide are to be for the Client only. As a Caregiver, your job is to:
When you are cleaning the home, you may find that you and the Client have different opinions about what is clean. Try to clean to meet the Client’s definition of clean and not your own. If you and the Client have very different opinions about cleanliness, talk to your supervisor. If the home situation is unsanitary or unsafe, report this to your supervisor.
It is very important to keep the kitchen clean, as this is where eating and food preparation takes place. Special care must be taken to eliminate bacteria.
Bathrooms require frequent cleaning due to the increased moisture in the air in this room.
You will need to know how to make an occupied and unoccupied bed. The procedure for making the bed may vary according to whether or not the Client can get out of bed and the types of sheets available in the home. Clients usually have fitted sheets in the home, but you will also learn how to make mitered corners using flat sheets.
The bed should be clean, dry and as free of wrinkles as possible. This promotes the comfort of the Client and helps to decrease skin break down. If the Client is able to get out of bed, encourage him/her to do so. Getting out of bed provides the Client with some exercise, relieves some pressure on the skin and makes it easier to make the bed.
(These steps may have to be modified depending on the Client and situation.)