HOMEMAKING

CLEANING A CLIENTS HOME

When you receive your assignment and the client’s care plan, your supervisor will tell you what housekeeping tasks you will be expected to do. Remember, it is often difficult for families to realize what things are important in keeping a house clean and that the aide is not there to perform all the housekeeping task. If the client and the family do not understand your assignment, discuss this with your supervisor.

When using any cleaning products, the following care should be used:

- Read the instructions on the label. Follow the directions in the order they are given, and use the amount suggested. - Do not mix cleaning products unless you have been instructed to do so. They may cause a chemical reaction that will hurt you and/or the surface you are cleaning. - Do not leave cleaners on a surface for a long time. Use care in how much you scrub a surface - Change the cleaning water when it is only moderately dirty and rinse if needed to avoid streaking or filming. - Store all cleaning products safely, away from children and pets, away from heat sources, and in their original containers. Store cleaning tools and supplies safely as close as possible to where you will use them. - Line garbage pails with plastic or paper bags. Do not put wet objects directly into paper bags.

LAUNDRY

Clean clothes are important for good health. Before washing clothes ask your client for specific directions for detergents preferred and for proper use of the washing machine/dryer.

Clothes should be sorted by: Color: Dark colors should be washed separately from light colors. Fabric: Delicate fabrics cannot take as much scrubbing as can heavy-duty fabrics Degree of dirt: Heavily soiled jeans should not be washed with a silk blouse.

DO NOT USE BLEACHED UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY THE CLIENT. BLEACH IS TO BE USED ON WHITES ONLY.

CARE OF FLOORS

Keeping floors clean is important to the general well-being of the client and his/her family. Clean floors also decrease the spread of bacteria and provide a safe path in which people can walk.

- Sweep floors frequently, especially before washing them. - Ask the client and/or family members how they usually clean the floors. Wood floors often require special cleaners and are not cleaned with water. - Use the detergent or cleanser according to directions. Do not let water remain on the floor. - Most households will have a mop for this job. If you do not find one, discuss this with your supervisor. - Let the floor dry before walking on it.

BEDMAKING

You may have a client who spends part of the day in bed. Some of your clients, though, are unable or not permitted to get out of bed at all. As a result, many clients are fed and bathed and use a bedpan in bed.

Homemaker Aides should make beds with no wrinkles in the sheets. Wrinkles are not only uncomfortable, but restrict the client’s circulation and can cause painful decubitus ulcers (bedsores). These are open wounds that often slow the client’s recovery. Decubiti can form very quickly and are difficult to heal.

Changing an occupied bed: - Wash your hands - Assemble clean linens - Tell the client what you plan to do and provide for the client’s privacy by closing the bedroom door - Place clean linens on a clean chair or table in room in the order you plan to use them. - Loosen bedding from under mattress by lifting the mattress with one hand as you pull out bedding with the other hand. - Remove top covers one at a time, folding each to the foot of the bed. - Leave top sheet covering the client to prevent chilling and afford privacy. - Place two straight chairs against one side of the bed, this helps protect the client from falling out of bed. If the bed has side rails or one side is flush against the wall this is not necessary. Simply raise the side rail on the opposite side of the bed. - Assist the client to turn on the side facing the chairs or side rail. Assist the client to move near the edge of the bed by the rail/chairs. Stand at the other side of the bed. - Roll or fanfold (fold in pleats) the soiled bottom sheet to the center of the bed beside the client’s back - Fold the clean bottom sheet lengthwise and place the fold at the center of the bed. Fanfold half the clean sheet next to the soiled sheet. Tuck the other half under the mattress. Make a folded corner at the top. Tuck from the top or head of bed and move toward the foot of the bed. - Help client turn toward you onto the clean sheet. Bring the chairs to the other side of the bed for the client’s protection (or raise the side rail). - Go to the other side and remove soiled sheet. Place soiled linens into large plastic bag. - Pull clean sheet across bed and tuck under mattress. Fold the corner at top and tuck along side from head to food of bed. Make certain the sheet is tight and wrinkle-free. - Turn client onto the back in center of the bed. Place clean top sheet over the soiled top sheet. Slide the soiled sheet out from under the clean sheet. Have client hold fresh top sheet in place. - Place soiled sheet in large plastic bag. - Unfold blanket and bedspread and place over top sheet. - Tuck in the bottoms of the sheet, blanket, and bedspread at the foot of the bed. Tuck the two corners; leave extra room for foot and toe movement. - Change the pillowcases and replace pillows under client’s head. Put soiled cases in large plastic bag. - Be sure client is comfortable and that the room is neat. Remove soiled linens from room. - Wash your hands.