78 percent of senior citizens would prefer to stay at home during their retirement years. Considering this fact, along with the ever increasing cost of nursing homes, you can expect to see more and more elderly persons relying on in home nursing care.

The control of micro-organisms in the homes then becomes very important, especially since immunity decreases as people age. In fact, it has been found that pneumonia and influenza are among the top 10 causes of death in people over the age of 65 years. Co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular conditions help to compound this reduced immunity.

So if you have your elderly loved ones on in home nursing care, here are two ways to help keep them germ free and possibly extend their lives as well.

Stepping out, stepping in

Shoes are thought to be some of the most convenient germ carriers that you wear. In fact, it is estimated that shoes can be a fertile area for up to 9 different types of microbes to thrive in. About 96 percent of shoes soles carry traces of fecal bacteria and can carry around other elements such as pollen and pesticides from the great outdoors to the inside of your home. 

To control the effects of shoes, it is best to leave them at the door when entering the home. They can also be sprayed with material-sensitive disinfectants and the soles can be cleaned with a detergent. This can get rid of about 90 percent of germs found on shoes. Along with the disinfecting properties of a 50-50 vinegar solution on your shoes, it is also an excellent way to remove salt stains during the winter months

Disinfect naturally

There are many types of disinfectants that are available, but many of these contain chlorine or ammonia which can introduce harmful fumes into the home that can burn the lungs and cause headaches. These may, therefore, not be the best agents to clean around the elderly. The use of such natural cleaning agents as white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, grapefruit seed extract, tea tree oil, or thyme oil can be quite effective in disinfecting your home.

Some of the most germ-filled areas in the house include the kitchen faucet, the vacuum cleaner and believe it or not, your cell phone. Special attention should be paid to these areas, but the whole house also needs to be cleaned at least once a week. Getting someone to provide the in home nursing care as well as a cleaning service to keep the home properly sanitized may be used for the up to $80,000 you would need to pay a private nursing home.

Talk with in home nursing care services, like Professional Nurses Registry, for more information about how they can help your loved one and other ways they can help keep your loved one's place germ free.