How to clean vulnerable person's flat

[TheOrigBrave]

My sons' grandfather (I am divorced from their Dad) has Parkinson's disease, lives alone but has carers 3 times a day. I drop groceries at his door.

His flat needs cleaning. The carers do bits and bobs - put some washing on, warm up meals for him, wash up, make the bed etc, but do not clean as such.

Is there a way I can go in and give the place a good clean?

Let your ex worry.

You put yourself at risk and probably put him at risk more.

My ex is estranged from his father. I care about him and it's not a problem to be caring for him.

rollock I'm not trying to get around the system, just wondered whether there was a way I hadn't thought of. There must be lots of isolated elderly people in this situation.

If you look online at the gov web pages there is advice in how to care for vulnerable people. It includes things like washing your hands as you enter, keeping windows open for ventilation and having them stay in a different room while your cleaning.

I looked because my gran is shielded. The thing is to decide what's 'essential' ie would it be nice or if it's not done will it be more detrimental than the (small) risk of passing on infection? I've decided that there is nothing at my grans house that is essential for the next month. If the toilet blocked or she needed laundry doing I would go and support her with that, assuming I didn't have symptoms of course.

You're cleaning

Thank you random I shall have a look online.

It's mainly dirty - I don't know what state the bathroom is in, but when I've been in before lockdown it was quite grim. The carers have been passing on info so I guess they would have said if the place was in a terrible state.

I spoke to the carers. The hoover FIL has doesn't work so I'm getting a new one, will set it all up and drop it off. They are happy to run it round now and again (which isn't in their normal remit). I'm also getting a microwave so they can more easily prepare ready meals.

They said he's confused and they're not sure he's washing properly / can't work the shower. And they think he's not sleeping in his bed. I'm not sure what to do about that.

But we left it that they are OK with how things are and will call me if things are getting beyond their scope of care. I was sure to thank them for all they're doing.

It's so hard.

I’d just go in and clean it tbh. He’s got carers traipsing in and out 3 times a day who will have been exposed to all sorts. I don’t see how you’d be any more of a risk

He hasn't got carers "traipsing", he's got carers exercising as much caution as they can and using PPE. They are essential in that they give him his medication. I am not essential. I want to respect what they ask us (family) to do, not just to protect FIL, but to protect them as well.

It's about minimising the risk.