10 Best Vacuum Cleaners for the Elderly

10 Best Vacuums for the Elderly

Considerations When Choosing the Best Vacuum for the Elderly

When shopping for a vacuum for arthritis sufferers, you need one that is lightweight; preferably one that does not exceed 15 pounds. If a unit exceeds 15 pounds, it needs to have the best convenience features to make the work easier for you.

Features to Look for in the Best Vacuum Cleaner for the Elderly

Type of Vacuum

Vacuum cleaners come in different types. The most popular include:

• Upright Vacuum – These are the most common types of vacuums that can clean carpets and hard floors. They are so named based on how you use them – you use them while standing. Another variation of these vacuums is a stick vacuum that comes without a bag to further make them light vacuum cleaners. These are the most common for the elderly.

• Backpack Vacuum – Avoid the hassle of these vacuums for the elderly. These vacuums have to be carried around when you are cleaning, and this is not ideal for seniors.

• Self-Propelled Vacuums – They are lightweight and easy to use. Unlike the units you push, these only need to be guided on a path, and they will clean the whole area.

• Handheld Vacuum – These are ideal for cleaning surfaces off the floor. Today, instead of a handheld vacuum, manufacturers offer upright vacuums that disconnect to form a handheld vacuum.

• Canister Vacuum cleaners – These are bagless units that contains a dust canister that empties with ease. They do not allow you to vacuum a large area as the canister has a smaller volume than a bag, but they are lightweight and great for seniors.

• Robotic vacuums – Also known as smart vacuums, these are the best vacuum cleaner for people with shoulder problems. If you cannot bend, or you do not have the energy to pull or push a vacuum, you need to set this unit to automatically clean bare floors or area rugs. However, these units are relatively expensive.

Power

Vacuum cleaners are either corded or cordless. Corded vacuum cleaners run when connected to a power outlet, and they have a long cord. These do not need to charge, and they will never go off when you are working. Again, these tend to offer more suction than the cordless units. When shopping for these units, go for one with a cord that is at least 20 feet to cover large rooms.

Cordless units come with a rechargeable battery. You can use it in and out of the house as they do not have a cord attached to them. Their portability, however, can be limited by their batteries. If the battery is weak, the unit will run less than 20 minutes. Before you get these units, ensure you check reviews to see how the battery performs.

Suction Power

A good vacuum cleaner for bad back and seniors should be one that cleans effectively in one pass per cleaning path with its powerful suction. Seniors may not have the energy to push the vacuum to attain multiple passes for efficient cleaning. Some vacuum cleaners come with different modes of operation where you can set it on low-power mode, medium-power, and high power mode.

Corded vacuums are more powerful than cordless vacuums. When a cordless vacuum offers as much power as a corded vacuum, it may not last as long as the rated battery runtime.

Handle Controls

Seniors do not have the spine to bend every time they need to operate a vacuum machine. As such, controls located on the handle are better than those on the head of the vacuum. A handle on/off switch that locks in position is better than one that has to be pressed every time during operation.

Bagged or Bagless Vacuum

A vacuum cleaner can either be bagged or bagless. A bagged vacuum sports a disposal bag that collects dirt and then you have to replace it after the cleaning session. These units are lightweight for use by seniors, but they are inconvenient when you have to replace the bag every day, or you need to buy the bag separately.

Bagless models are the best for seniors as they come with a canister that holds dirt during the cleaning session and then all you need is to empty the canister and continue cleaning. For seniors with allergic reactions to dirt, a bagless model is not ideal as they will come in contact with the dirt a lot. When shopping, ensure that the canister is easy to remove and empty.

Type of Floor to Vacuum and Versatility

Most vacuums are versatile to clean different floors and surfaces. Some, however, are engineered for specific types of floors, dirt, and surfaces. You need a device that gets the job done regardless of the type of floor, including hardwood floors, you are cleaning.

Units such as pet vacuums are great at removing pet hair from your carpet, but they are less effective for cleaning other areas. A versatile vacuum offers you value for money when you are using it. If you do not need a specialized vacuum, pick one you can use as a handheld vacuum too and one that cleans hard floors and carpets with the same effectiveness.

Full Indicator

An indicator comes in handy for cordless vacuums. It shows the level of the battery and warns you when you need to charge the unit. Without the indicator, the unit will be annoying as it might switch off when you are using it. Again, without the indicator you may never know when the battery is charged, and you may leave the unit charging for long periods, which is a waste of electricity, and it shortens the life of your battery.

Storage

Some vacuums come with a retractable cord. This makes them easier to store as you deal with the cord separately. Cords can be as large as 30 feet, and, so, dealing with one away from the vacuum is a great way to store your unit. Some more advanced units allow you to press a button and the cord retracts to its storage compartment. In some units, the cord is not retractable and does not disconnect, so you have to wrap it around the unit’s head manually.

Others come with a quick-release handle so that you can store the handle separately from the head. Others still come with a handle that lays flat so that you can store the unit in a small space. Better yet, these units are great for cleaning under furniture and reach tight spaces.

Attachments

Seniors might need to do more than clean a floor with the vacuum cleaner. The right vacuum cleaner for elderly should come with attachments such as:

• Upholstery tool to clean furniture surfaces and curtains

• Sweep feet to clean hard surfaces

• Dust brush to remove dust on surfaces

• Crevice tool to remove dirt and dust on areas that the vacuum head cannot reach

• Rubber bristle brush to remove loose hair from the pet’s coat

• Turbo brush to clean the stairs

Conclusion

The vacuum you choose should meet the needs of the house you need to clean and be easy to use for the senior. For starters, you need the best lightweight vacuum cleaners with low profile construction. The weight should be as low as possible so that the senior can lift it when they need to store it, push, or pull. Besides, the unit might come with some convenient features such as self-propelling unit, easy to push wheels, and much more.

Your budget also determines the unit you go for. A robot vacuum, for instance, would work the best for seniors as they only need to talk to it or set it on their mobile device, and it is good to go. However, such a unit might be off the budget. As a rule of thumb, buy the best vacuum that is affordable. Compare suction power for vacuum cleaners on Amazon.