Aging Forces Changes in the Way to Get Things Done
An inspiration at 85 years young, my mom walks two to three miles every day, still works outside the home a couple of days a week, plays bridge with friends to keep her mind active, participates in Bible study, and keeps her yard and house very clean.
Yet, with all of these activities, there are things that are difficult for her - vacuuming the upstairs of her home is one. And only because she has to carry a heavy vacuum up quite a number of steep stairs. Not safe.
As we age, every day tasks can become increasingly hard. Arthritic hands mean it’s harder to open jars or even laundry detergent. The decreasing strength in arms means it’s harder to put a heavy turkey in the oven. We are forced to adapt.
We must find ways of doing things differently. We may need to delegate tasks - like hiring someone to rake the leaves or mow the lawn instead of doing it ourselves. We may need to find new tools to use to accomplish things for everyday living.
My mom has had to find ways to adapt when it comes to vacuuming upstairs. She could hire someone to clean, but for my mom, that is not an option. She’d prefer to do it herself. She could purchase two vacuums, leaving one upstairs and keeping one downstairs. Or she could purchase one vacuum light enough to carry.
There are so many vacuums on the market and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. A process of elimination can be the best way to narrow down choices. For my mom, there are a number of factors to consider.
First on the list is the weight of the vacuum, preferably less than ten pounds. The next concern is whether it is corded or cordless. With cordless models, there is less of a tripping hazard. The next consideration is the power or suction capability and where the vacuum is used. Is one needed to primarily vacuum hardwoods, carpets, or both? Does it have enough power to clean the floors appropriately?
Once we found a vacuum that met the basic needs, cost and reliability were considered.
In the end, this Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner was the winner. It checked off all of the boxes from being lightweight and cordless to working equally well on hardwood floors and carpets.
And how did it perform?
My mom has been using this vacuum now for about a month. What has been most surprising is how well it picks up dirt. She recently had the carpets professionally cleaned, and after using the Dyson to vacuum that same carpet, she was amazed by the amount of dirt that filled the canister. The suction is powerful enough to deep clean her entire house; not just the carpets.
Emptying the canister has not been hard for her - even with hands that lack the strength of her younger years. The handle to release the dirt is easy to lift. She simply pulls a button to empty the collected dirt and dust into the trash. The handy wall mount means that the vacuum is always charged and ready for use.
Dare I say that she finds using the vacuum a breeze and it’s become her new favorite toy?
On the whole, using the Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner has not only made cleaning easier, but has also contributed to improved safety. With its lightweight design, cordless convenience, powerful suction technology, and versatile attachments, this appliance addresses unique challenges as abilities diminish.
As we age, there are many areas in which we are forced to adapt. It is nice to know vacuuming our homes need not be one of them.
Have you found things more difficult to do the older you get? What are some of your tips and tricks? Any great tools you use now? Share in the comments. We’d love to hear.