A Guide to Improving Indoor Air Quality For Seniors
Establishing a Clean Air Home
For seniors, indoor air quality is particularly important. Research has shown that air pollution is not only worse indoors than out, but that people who are in their golden years are especially vulnerable to respiratory illnesses, triggers, and sensitivities. This makes a clean-air home essential for those who are aging.
At All Care Health Solutions, we understand the importance of air quality control, especially for those who are geriatric, and we believe that a few simple steps will help you attain a clean-air home. In this article, we discuss the importance of improving air quality and provide tips and techniques for establishing one.
The Benefits of Indoor Air Quality
Clean air in your home is good for everyone, but especially for seniors. Indoor air pollution can be caused by a wide variety of sources, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds), allergens and mold, or even cigarette smoke.
These pollutants can cause a host of health issues, especially in seniors. Poor air quality can cause respiratory issues and exacerbates existing conditions like asthma, allergies, and the flu. It can also worsen chronic illnesses like heart disease, and have serious long-term health impacts.
Improving air quality isn’t as difficult as it may seem. There are a few simple steps that you can take to make your home healthy and safe for the elderly. These steps can reduce the amount of bothersome respiratory symptoms and help to protect and prevent long-term illness.
Tips For Improving Indoor Air Quality
Begin to improve indoor air quality by ensuring that proper maintenance and cleaning procedures are in place. Regularly dust furniture, fans, fixtures, window treatments, and rugs. Vacuum the carpets and/or hardwood floors using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
Pay special attention to hard-to-reach places like ceiling fans, air vents, and windowsills. Be vigilant with regularly changing furnace and air conditioner filters, as these can trap dirt, dust, and allergens.
Regularly clean other items like drapes, curtains, and bed linens to reduce airborne particles. Also, check walls for signs of mold or mildew and wipe down any discolorations with the proper cleaner.
Be conscious of household items that may contain VOCs. These can include paints, cleaning products, furniture, carpeting, and more. There are a wide variety of low VOC or no VOC products available now that can help you achieve better air quality in your home.
Pay attention to humidity levels as well. High humidity levels can cause the growth of mold and mildew in the home, and that can compromise air quality. Invest in a humidity monitor and consider using dehumidifiers in humid areas.
Finally, open the windows and let in some fresh air daily. Airing out your home regularly can help with reducing VOCs, smoke, and other indoor particulates.
At All Care Health Solutions, we understand the importance of indoor air quality and the need to have a clean-air home for senior citizens. We recommend following these simple steps to improving indoor air quality and creating a healthy home.