One first consideration when selecting a vacuum cleaner for an elderly person is that person’s health and needs. Do they have difficulty seeing, have arthritis, fall easily, have trouble walking.
Next, remember to ask the person, if they haven‘t already expressed this if they have a preference. Perhaps they had a vacuum cleaner at one point that they loved and they want another one like that. They are not going to be happy with whatever is chosen besides that special one.
Next, remember to ask the person, if they haven‘t already expressed this if they have a preference. Perhaps they had a vacuum cleaner at one point that they loved and they want another one like that. They are not going to be happy with whatever is chosen besides that special one.
The Stick Vacuum
The lightest vacuums would seem to be the best bet, but not particularly. In this case, weight might be offset by suction. A stick vacuum, which is light and often modern looking, is not always the strongest.
The lightest vacuums would seem to be the best bet, but not particularly. In this case, weight might be offset by suction. A stick vacuum, which is light and often modern looking, is not always the strongest.
Sometimes the battery does not last long enough for a larger house. One stick vacuum, selected by a survey of people, has a battery of ten minutes for strong vacuuming. If the house is at all large or if the person has animals, the stick vacuums might not have enough battery. If the job is only a quarter completed, it is aggravating to stop because the battery dies.
Canister vacuum cleaners
These are the strongest and if it works by an electrical cord, it will last forever, but the canisters are the heaviest vacuums. Unless the older person is set on a canister vacuum cleaner, it is best to select another.
Cordless Vacuum Cleaners
Not many people like cords. Cords need a plug and one that is central enough to go the length of the house or most of it. That particular plug might not exist, especially in an older home.
Not many people like cords. Cords need a plug and one that is central enough to go the length of the house or most of it. That particular plug might not exist, especially in an older home.
Then there is the problem of running over the cord with the vacuum and cutting it, perhaps bad enough to cut the cord severely enough that it has to be repaired before continuing. There is another problem for older people. They may trip and fall. So something without a cord can be very suitable when looking for vacuums for elderly. Even if they don’t have a history of falling, it can always happen.
Button, Switches, and Foot Pedals
Again, if arthritis is the culprit, buttons might be difficult to press. Also, where the button or switch is located makes pressing it difficult in some arthritis might make it difficult to push. Seems like such a simple thing, but it is important.
Again, if arthritis is the culprit, buttons might be difficult to press. Also, where the button or switch is located makes pressing it difficult in some arthritis might make it difficult to push. Seems like such a simple thing, but it is important.
If the vacuum has foot pedals, which are wonderful for most people, they might present a problem for the older person who can’t balance while pushing that foot pedal. It is only a second of balance, but if the person can’t see the pedal which might be behind the base of the vacuum, they are on one foot a bit longer finding it.
If they know where it is, because they vacuum constantly, they still may have to look for that pedal each time. Sometimes the foot pedals don’t work easily. To get them to work, they must be pushed twice, harder the second time.
A Light
Needing a light appears frivolous. Why a light when the house has lights. Engineers so often put lights on objects of this sort, even irons. If the person has trouble seeing, a light might be needed to maneuver that vacuum.
Needing a light appears frivolous. Why a light when the house has lights. Engineers so often put lights on objects of this sort, even irons. If the person has trouble seeing, a light might be needed to maneuver that vacuum.
Maneuverability
When vacuuming, it is necessary to bend and twist the body, to maneuver the vacuum to get under low items. That is not always easy when a person gets older. They need a vacuum that they don’t have to fight to get the job done.
When vacuuming, it is necessary to bend and twist the body, to maneuver the vacuum to get under low items. That is not always easy when a person gets older. They need a vacuum that they don’t have to fight to get the job done.
