Spring Cleaning
by Sheryl Karas M.A.
(I know it's not Spring but better late than never.)
Not much is written about the value of housework in reducing stress for family caregivers. It even seems counter intuitive. After all, we are always recommending that caregivers let certain tasks go. Who cares if the house is dirty or if the dishes don't get washed? Let the laundry pile up or the weeds take over your garden. Set your priorities and let the rest slide. Well. . . I'm about to set that advice on its head.
As a chronic mess producer, I am a poor one to be giving advice about keeping a house clean and neat. Yet doesn't everyone breathe a sigh of relief when that pile of laundry sitting on the washing machine finally gets attended to and put away? Isn't it a breath of fresh air to see a freshly cleared off desk, an empty sink or a nicely organized closet? Wow! I don't have to dig under a pile of pots and pans to find my favorite mug! And where did I put my car keys? Right there on the hook by the door where they are supposed to be! If everything has a place and is put in that place I never have to think about where to find anything again! Life becomes so much easier.
People with dementia are often severely affected by clutter. Clutter creates confusion and overstimulation for a person who is already struggling to make sense of his or her environment. Studies have shown that reducing audio and visual stimulation can help relax an agitated patient. That's why dementia units in assisted living facilities are often quieter and more plainly decorated than the rest of the facility.
I don't advocate making clutter control the most important part of your day. If something has to go out of your daily routine housework really is a prime candidate. But if life constantly feels chaotic and out of control housework is probably the easiest thing you could do to re-establish a semblance of order.
If you really feel overwhelmed at this suggestion you need more help in your life. Sometimes family members who balk at taking on the care of their demented relative jump at the chance to help out in this way. My best friend once did that for me. After the earthquake my husband and I lived with all our possessions piled up around us in the living room while the rest of our house was torn apart for renovations and repairs. My life felt so overwhelming and there was so much no one could help me with but her eyes literally lit up when I mentioned the clutter. This was something she could do! She came over and helped me re-organize the mess we were living in into a respectable quiet and calm sanctuary and it happened all in one day! It made a huge difference.
If you don't have someone to ask or can't imagine doing it, consider hiring professional help. There are many professional housekeeping services that can get your place spic and span for a very reasonable price. Two of my caregivers recently sent me information about Professional Organizers. A Professional Organizer can help create systems for managing clutter, assist you in figuring out how to get rid of what you don't need and organize what you want to keep. They can also help you with personal shopping, financial management, record-keeping and other tasks that can become overwhelming when dealing with dementia caregiving. Look in the Yellow Pages under Organizing Services or Housecleaning.
Caregiving Articles
A new version of this article can be found in Sheryl’s latest book The Spiritual Journey of Family Caregiving.
Caregiving Articles
© Copyright 2007 Sheryl Karas & Paul Hood