10.1: Unit A- Importance of Housekeeping in the Home

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Erin O'Hara-Leslie, Amdra C. Wade, Kimberly B. McLain, SUNY Broome

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Housekeeping is an essential task of the Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide. It helps to enhance a patient’s quality of life. When a patient’s home is clean and organized it helps them to feel better psychologically and it keeps them safer physically (Leahy, Fuzy & Grafe, 2013). During times of illness, there may be much stress, disorganization, and even chaos in the home. Becoming ill and dealing with disease, disability, or injury can be stressful. It can also occupy a great deal of the patient and family’s time, which leads to requiring assistance with keeping their home clean. Helping to keep the patient’s home clean and safe is one important way that Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides can help the family during their time of need.

Having a clean home is important for infection control. Proper disinfection removes microorganisms. Microorganisms are bacteria, fungus, and viruses that can cause disease. Maintaining a safe and clean home also helps to prevent accidents and further injury or disability. Tidying up on a regular basis allows Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides to prevent accidental falls.

Many people take great pride in their home. When they are sick or disabled, they may not be able to maintain their home the way they used to or would like. With assistance from a HHA/PCA, they can have a living space that reflects the pride they have in their home. Some patients may not have good knowledge of how to maintain a clean home. With the support and assistance of a HHA/PCA, they can learn proper cleaning techniques and household management skills. Having this knowledge will help to enhance a patient’s independence, self-esteem, ability to feel control in their life, and comfort.

Self Check Activity \(\PageIndex{1}\)

1. Maintaining clean home helps to prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, and fungus. True or False? ______

2. Housekeeping is an essential task of the Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide. True or False? ______

Answer

1. True

2. True

FEEDBACK:

1. Keeping a home clean helps prevent the spread of microorganisms and invasion of pests. This provides for a safe environment for the patient.

2. Housekeeping is an essential task of the HHA/PCA. It helps to enhance a patient’s quality of life by helping them to feel better psychologically, and it keeps them safer physically. Becoming ill and dealing with disease, disability, or injury can be stressful. Helping to keep the home clean can bring a sense of organization to a patient and their family.