Tips for keeping your elderly relative’s home free from humidity
Autumn and winter are times of high humidity, since, at low temperatures, the air cannot retain as much water vapor, so it condenses into water droplets. When this humidity settles inside homes, it causes the appearance of different mold fungi. These, in turn, cause or aggravate various respiratory diseases such as allergies, sinusitis, and asthma, which are especially dangerous in old age. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the appearance of humidity in the home and, fortunately, there are several methods to achieve this.
Air out the house
Leave the windows open every day for at least half an hour. This way, the water vapor circulates out of the house instead of accumulating inside and condensing.
Turn on the exaust fan
When cooking, turn on the extractor fan to remove the steam. Also, keep the pot covered as much as possible. This keeps more steam inside, which also helps the food cook faster.
Avoid long and hot baths
When taking a bath, make sure it’ss as cool and short as possible to avoid excessive steam. Remember to turn on the bathroom fan after showering and ensure the door is always closed.
Hang the laundry to dry outside
Whenever possible, hang your laundry outside, either on your balcony or in your garden, if you have one, to allow the steam to circulate outside. You can also use a clothes dryer.
Protect your furniture from humidity
Wooden furniture is particularly vulnerable to moisture and mold, so it’s a good idea to apply varnish to it to waterproof it. When it comes to wardrobes, leave the doors wide open to prevent the accumulation of water vapor.
Warm up the house
Since condensation of water vapor occurs due to low temperatures, one solution is to heat up the house, either through a fireplace or a central heating system. However, it’s not necessary to heat it excessively, as the ideal indoor temperature to prevent the appearance of dampness is between 18ºC and 22ºC.
Use a dehumidifier
To absorb excess moisture, you can place a dehumidifier in the areas most vulnerable to humidity, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.
Your elderly relative may not have many of these habits in mind, and it’s important to be there to take these measures to protect them. If you are unavailable, KindCare can handle this. Contact us at 960 139 517 to learn more.