Housekeeping Services for Seniors: Benefits of a Clean, Safe Home

According to a December 2024 article in the New York Post, a survey found that for nearly a quarter (24%) of the 2,000 Americans polled, maintaining a tidy house is more challenging than their nine-to-five jobs. So, if keeping a home clean and tidy is already difficult for these younger people, imagine how trickier it can be for older adults.

The good news is that housekeeping services for seniors are available for older adults who wish to lead active lifestyles without the burden of these tedious (yet crucial) tasks. For instance, at The Bonaventure, our independent living community in Ventura, CA, the caring and compassionate staff provides housekeeping to residents.

But what exactly are the benefits of home cleaning for elderly adults? Won't senior housekeeping services reduce their degree of independence?

Join us today as we share insights answering those questions in this guide.

Minimize Spread of Disease-Causing Germs

One of the many benefits of clean homes for seniors is that they can help minimize health woes caused by pathogens (disease-causing organisms like bacteria and viruses). As the U.S. CDC explains, regularly cleaning surfaces at home can help people stay healthy by removing germs and dirt and preventing the spread of sickness-causing germs.

However, cleaning all surfaces at home, especially high-touch and high-traffic areas, can be too time-consuming and tedious for seniors. It can sap anyone's energy, especially in older adults. Even if they're in good health, they may still have lower energy levels than their younger counterparts.

For those reasons, our compassionate team at The Bonaventure diligently provides housekeeping as part of our lengthy list of independent living services and amenities. We clean and maintain the sanitary environment of our seniors' apartment homes, helping enhance their overall satisfaction and comfort. And by keeping our residents' homes clean and tidy, we can help them maintain good physical health.

Reduce Slip, Trip, and Fall Risks

Clutter is a leading cause of slips, trips, and falls for people of all ages, but it can be particularly hazardous for older adults.

As the National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports, fall incidents threaten senior Americans' independence and safety. Unfortunately, they're also prevalent, with about a quarter of adults 65 and older experiencing one each year. Half of older adults who fall also require hospital care.

A lack of housekeeping can result in a cluttered home, but doing housekeeping tasks can also put older adults at risk of slips, trips, and falls.

We at The Bonaventure understand those risks, another reason we provide senior living housekeeping services to our residents. By taking over these chores, we can help keep their homes clutter-free and minimize their risks of slipping, tripping, or falling.

Combat Clutter's Adverse Mental Health Effects

Cleanliness and tidiness don't just affect physical health; they can also impact mental health. For example, for some people, a dirty, messy, and cluttered home can be a source of stress and interfere with their ability to focus and concentrate. Indeed, according to WebMD, most people can benefit from clutter-free homes by:

• Enjoying better focus
• Having higher self-esteem
• Improving feelings of competency and pride

A clean, tidy home can also help promote increased socialization. For instance, seniors who live in clean and organized apartments may feel more comfortable inviting friends, family, and neighbors. Conversely, a dirty, cluttered house may make people feel too embarrassed to have guests.

Help Preserve Independence

Relying on someone else for housekeeping may seem counterintuitive to preserving older adults' independence. However, it can help seniors remain independent longer by helping protect their health and safety.

Remember: regular cleaning can prevent germs from causing diseases while keeping homes tidy can help minimize fall risks. When older adults can avoid illnesses and fall injuries, they won't have to stay in bed or need hospital care. Instead, they can stay healthy and on their feet, doing things they love and leading a more active lifestyle in retirement.

Give Seniors More Time for Other Engaging Activities

Relieving seniors of the burden of housekeeping and home maintenance (which our staff at The Bonaventure also provides) gives them more time to enjoy socialization and physical fitness activities. Engaging in these activities is crucial to healthy aging and impacts older adults' physical, mental, and overall health and well-being.

Socialization Benefits for Seniors

Socialization helps seniors avoid isolation and loneliness. According to the National Institute on Aging, studies associate the latter with increased risks for health problems like:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Anxiety and depression
• Cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease

At The Bonaventure, we do more than handle housekeeping and apartment maintenance so our residents have more time to have fun and socialize. We also prepare a robust calendar of fun and social activities and events for them. We're proud to have a full-time activities director who plans the following for our seniors:

• Educational seminars
• Themed parties
• Stimulating games

We also have regularly scheduled outdoor gatherings on our senior living community's beautiful, well-maintained, landscaped grounds.

Physical Activity Benefits for Older Adults

Seniors who partake in physical activity can enjoy immediate and long-term health perks. According to the U.S. CDC, adults 65 and over can enjoy the following benefits of being physically active:

• Better sleep quality
• Less anxiety
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced risk of developing dementia and depression
• Lower risk of weight gain
• Reduced risk of falls
• Stronger bones
• Remain independent longer

Our independent living community encourages residents to stay active by giving them access to on-site health and wellness programs. From exercise classes to private walking trails and a fitness center, we offer all these and more at The Bonaventure.

The Bonaventure: Providing Much More Than Housekeeping Services for Seniors

Housekeeping services for seniors help minimize the spread of germs and reduce fall risks. They also foster independence and give older adults more time to engage in social and physical activities.

So, if you're considering transitioning to an independent living community where you can enjoy all that, plus exceptional senior programs and amenities, we highly encourage you to explore The Bonaventure. We look forward to giving you a tour of our beautiful community, where our older residents make the most of their golden years.

Reach out to us today so we can schedule your visit!