Most seniors would like to remain in their home as long as possible. For some, however, it can become a difficult task keeping up with the chores that owning a home requires. It can seem daunting to try to keep up with the interior and exterior projects that are required, or for some, even the daily tasks of picking up and routine cleaning. As a relative of a senior, there are a variety of ways you can help.

• Call a family meeting – Meet with everyone in your family, especially those that are local, and determine how you can break up the tasks to help out your relative. The idea is not to overwhelm one person, but for everyone to do their part. If everyone takes one or two tasks, the chores can easily be completed.

• Call for help – If you are the only relative in the area or the family simply cannot help as needed, you can call various home care agencies to determine if there is one that will fit the needs of your relative. Helping to keep a home in order is a service that many senior care professionals provide, taking the burden off of family members.

• Stay in contact – Always stay in contact with your senior relative. Talk to him or her often about the required tasks around the home and try to determine if they are feeling overwhelmed. When you keep the line of communication open, your relative will feel comfortable admitting when they could use some help. This will help him or her be able to stay in their home longer, rather than getting in over their head and the tasks simply becoming too much for everyone to handle at once.