Maintaining your home
Can you maintain and clean your home without help?
It is important to keep your home clean, safe and clear of any excess clutter. Excess clutter can be a trip hazard, but it can also raise your stress levels! Staying on top of house repairs, heating your home and having appliances regularly checked can save you money and keep you safe.
Top tips
- Try breaking your cleaning tasks down into groups, or areas of the house. It may help you to make a list of all the rooms, and the jobs in those rooms you want to tackle.
- Get rid of clutter. It can be difficult to part ways with items that you have gathered over the years, but over time these things can build up. A particular risk is that if clutter is left on the floor it can cause trip hazards.
- Consider using some aids such as a grabber tool to help you to reach items you may have dropped on the floor. You can also get cleaning tools that have long or extendable handles so you don’t have to bend down. Take a look at our ‘interactive house’ to find out about the range of equipment that’s available.
- Make sure your carer has the support they need. Our carers page has lots of top tips and information about support for anybody who looks after you.
Frequently asked questions Back to top
- Answer:
A cleaner’s role can be varied and many can help you out with a variety of tasks. They may be able to help with changing beds, filling and emptying the washing machine, cleaning kitchen worktops and ironing. Some may run errands, walk your pets or do the shopping for you.
As well as getting the chores done, a cleaner can be great source of company too. They may be able to keep an eye on your welfare and alert others who need to know if you are feeling unwell or are unable to cope with other aspects of your life.
- Answer:
- It's important to find someone who not only can provide you with a quality service but also one that you feel you are comfortable with and can trust. To find a trader, ask family and friends for personal recommendations.
Staffordshire Trading Standards also has a list of local businesses that have committed to fair and honest trading practices and the delivery of good customer service.
- Answer:
- There are many ways you can insulate your home to help save you money on your heating bills. There are simple things to do too, such as closing your curtains at dusk to help stop heat escaping through the windows.
Beat the Cold
To help with costs you may want to consider switching your energy supplier. Beat the Cold can help you find the best deals and offer advice energy efficiency in your home.
Benefits and entitlements
You may also want to explore what benefits you are entitled to, such as:
Try using Entitled to benefits calculator to find out what else you could be entitled to.
Daily living equipment
Daily living equipment and technology can help people to manage their everyday tasks and stay independent in their own homes. Take a look at our ‘interactive house’ to find out what equipment could help.
Assisted bin collection service
Check with your local district or borough council.
What's available in my local area?
If you are looking for a ‘home help’ service, our directory website Staffordshire Connects can help you find:
You can use the filters to narrow down your search or enter your postcode to find your local services.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
For advice on fitting smoke alarms, fire safety and checking your property for potential hazards, the Safe and Well team are available. For specific groups such as couples aged 85 and over and single occupiers aged 65 and over, a safe and well visit may be available.
Call 0800 0241 999 to enquire.
Staffordshire Cares
If you are struggling maintaining your home and wish to discuss this in more detail, contact our Staffordshire Cares team.
#DoingOurBit – What one thing can you do?
If you know someone who might need help maintaining their home, you could offer to help in whatever way you can, from quickly vacuuming or fixing a leaky tap or upturned carpet.
You could even help people search for support on Staffordshire Connects. Any little you can do will help make a difference!