With sustainability becoming a top priority across industries, home care also takes up eco-friendly measures that are helpful for both the environment and the folks it serves. These practices have positive health implications for seniors receiving care and help cut an environmental carbon footprint for caregivers. We’ll discuss how home care providers can embrace sustainability and keep on serving without any compromise.
Why Sustainability Matters in Home Care
Seniors need home care providers to improve their quality of life, but home care providers can have an impact on the environment. Incorporating sustainable practices helps in:
- Reduce Waste: Minimizing environmental harm comes from recycling and waste reduction.
- Improve Air Quality: Seniors with respiratory issues are usually due to an increased exposure to harmful chemicals —and the good news is, by using eco-friendly cleaning products, exposure to those chemicals decreases.
- Support Well-Being: Practicing eco conscious habits like reducing energy use and gardening can positively affect mental and physical health.
Adopting a greener approach to home care can help subdue environments, while offering health to seniors in our care, and help realize the global goals for the environment.
Simple Steps to Go Green
Choose Green Cleaning Solutions
As traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your sensitive respiratory system. Not only are green alternatives safer, but they are also effective.
- Eco-Friendly Brands: Choose biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning supplies that can be found in most stores.
- DIY Options: Make cleaners with ingredients like baking soda, vinegar or lemon juice — they’re safe. They’re a lot cheaper and better for the environment.
Optimize Energy Use
Energy efficiency doesn’t only lower utility bills, it’s also an important point of sustainable living.
- Upgrade Appliances: Energy efficient refrigerators, washing machines and light bulbs cut the electricity bill significantly.
- Smart Home Devices: Install smart thermostats and lighting systems that are able to adjust to seniors’ needs and can conserve energy.
Focus on Sustainable Transportation
Transportation accounts for a lot of carbon emissions. There are greener options that make a big difference.
- Electric Vehicles: Electric vehicles can be used by home care providers to reduce emissions as they continue to provide reliable service.
- Carpooling and Public Transport: When, and where feasible, sharing rides with caregivers or with public transit reduces environmental impact.
Encourage Recycling
Recycling provides additional assistance in reducing the waste generated by caregiving activities. Simple measures are available that can help make recycling easy for both seniors and caregivers.
- Clear Bins and Labels: Separate wastepaper, plastics and organic, using labeled bins.
- Recycling Education: Remind seniors what can and cannot be recycled to help prevent contamination — and maximize your recycling efforts.
Create Green Spaces
Gardening is good for the soul; it engages the mind and connects seniors with nature.
- Home Gardens: Find ways to give seniors, who are limited to their homes, small garden beds or potted plants to tend. It is a physical activity and provides fresh air too.
- Community Participation: If possible, create or join a community garden initiative which will give seniors a chance to connect with others as they grow fresh produce.
Support Sustainable Eating Habits
Home Care is all about nutrition, and where the food comes from really does matter.
- Shop Local: Buying from farmers’ markets or local suppliers is a way to help keep the community alive and to minimize the carbon footprint of food transportation.
- Plant Based Meals: Introduce plant-based diet into your meals that tend to have less of a negative impact on the planet than meat-based meals.
Engaging Seniors in Sustainable Practices
Involving seniors in sustainability initiatives is a fantastic thing to do both for their empowerment and their engagement.
- Workshops: Offer host sessions on recycling, composting, or preparing eco-friendly meals. They’re a great way to socialize and learn.
- Collaborative Projects: Local schools or groups can be good as partners for tree planting days or park clean ups. It can be an opportunity to bring older people into contact with younger people and instill a sense of accomplishment.
Leading the Way with Sustainable Home Care
Our view at 1st Care Community, as an NDIS service provider is to always support our clients, but also the world we live in. In our thoughtful practices we are committed to create a positive impact that benefits our clients as well as the environment. We are here to help whether you’re looking for help with daily tasks, educating yourself on how to help create a greener home, or anything in between.
Make Sustainability Part of Your Care Plan
Sustainability in home care is about building a better and healthier world for everyone. These are small steps which can make big changes, from promoting green to reducing waste. If you’re interested in a trusted home care package provider or to learn ways to make your care plan more sustainable, contact 1st Care Community. It’s time to work as one to support our seniors and our planet alike!
