Embracing Efficiency: Ways to Automate Household Chores

In today’s fast-paced world, the last thing we want is to be bogged down by endless household chores. Fortunately, there are various automation tools that can help lighten the burden and make our lives more convenient. From robotic vacuums to smart home systems, automation has revolutionized the way we manage household tasks. In this article, we will explore easy ways to automate household chores and free up more time for the things that truly matter.

Smart Home Technology: The cornerstone of home automation lies in embracing smart home technology. Start by investing in a reliable smart home hub or controller that serves as the central point for managing all connected devices. From there, you can expand your smart ecosystem by incorporating smart bulbs, plugs, thermostats, and security systems. With smart bulbs and plugs, you can remotely control lights and appliances, optimizing energy usage and creating the illusion of an occupied home when you’re away. Smart thermostats, on the other hand, learn your preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly, promoting energy efficiency and comfort. Meanwhile, smart security systems enhance home safety with features like remote monitoring and automated alerts.
Robotic Vacuum Cleaner: Bid farewell to the days of manually pushing a vacuum cleaner around the house. Robotic vacuum cleaners are intelligent devices designed to autonomously clean your floors while you focus on other tasks. These nifty gadgets navigate through your home, avoiding obstacles and adjusting their cleaning patterns based on the floor type. Some models even offer mopping capabilities to keep your hard floors shiny and spotless.
Automated Lawn Care: Maintaining a pristine lawn can be time-consuming, but automation can come to the rescue. Robotic lawnmowers are designed to trim your grass regularly without any intervention. They operate on a set schedule or can be activated remotely through a smartphone app. With robotic lawn mowers, you’ll enjoy a perfectly manicured lawn without breaking a sweat.
Automated Kitchen Appliances: The kitchen is often a hotbed of household chores, but automation can streamline the cooking and cleaning process. Consider investing in appliances like smart ovens, which allow you to control cooking settings remotely. Additionally, dishwasher models with smart features can be programmed to run during off-peak hours when electricity costs are lower, saving you money and time.
Home Automation Routines: Most smart home systems offer the functionality to create custom automation routines. These routines can be triggered by specific events or schedules, making it easy to automate several tasks simultaneously. For example, you can set up a “Good Morning” routine that turns on the lights, adjusts the thermostat, and starts brewing your coffee at your preferred time. Similarly, a “Good Night” routine can lock doors, turn off lights, and arm the security system before you head to bed. Like a home care aide, these automated routines can be very helpful for the elderly.
Explore Voice Assistants: Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can be your virtual helpers in automating household chores. They allow you to control smart devices using voice commands, eliminating the need for manual interactions with various apps and interfaces. With just a few words, you can dim the lights, turn up the music, or check if the doors are locked.

Apart from the common household chores mentioned earlier, you can also automate various other chores to simplify your daily life. Here are some more examples:

Automated Laundry Systems: Laundry can be time-consuming, but some advanced washing machines and dryers offer automation features. These appliances can be programmed to start and finish cycles at specific times, allowing you to take advantage of off-peak energy hours or ensuring your laundry is ready when you need it. But if you really want to save more time and energy, subscribe to a laundry delivery service. They’ll do your laundry perfectly according to your requirements and you’ll also look your best.
Automated Prescription Refills: Many pharmacies now offer services that allow you to automate the refilling of your prescription medications. You can set up automatic prescription refills, where your community pharmacy will proactively refill your medications when they are due. This way, you won’t have to worry about running out of essential medications. Furthermore, some pharmacies have online stores where you can buy home healthcare products, personal care and even household products and deliver to you as well.
Medication Dispensing Devices: Some advanced medication organizing and dispensing systems can automate the process of organizing and dispensing pills. These devices sort and dispense medications according to your schedule, often with built-in alarms and alerts to remind you to take your medication.
Online Vitamin Subscriptions: Many vitamin and supplement companies offer online subscription services. By setting up a subscription for your preferred vitamins and supplements, you can ensure that you receive a fresh supply regularly without the need to reorder every time you run out.
Automated Bill Payment: Setting up automatic bill payment through your bank’s online platform can save you time and help avoid late fees. Many utility companies and service providers offer the option to set up recurring payments, allowing you to pay your bills without manual intervention.
Automated propane delivery: If you use propane for heating, cooking, etc. for your home, sign up for automatic propane delivery. With automatic delivery, the supplier knows when to deliver propane to you without you having to call them. You’ll never run out of fuel because you forgot to check or to call. Isn’t that a life saver?
Automated Pet Feeders: If you have pets, automated pet feeders can be a lifesaver. These devices dispense pre-measured food at scheduled times, ensuring your furry friends are fed even when you’re not at home.
Automated Plant Watering: For those with indoor plants or a garden, automated watering systems can keep your plants healthy and hydrated without requiring daily attention. These systems can be set on timers or triggered by moisture sensors.
Automated Grocery Delivery: Many grocery stores now offer online ordering and home delivery services. By setting up recurring grocery orders or using grocery subscription services, you can automate grocery shopping and have essentials delivered regularly.
Automated Calendar and Reminders: Use digital calendars and task management apps to automate reminders for appointments, birthdays, and other important events. These apps can send you notifications to ensure you never miss a crucial date.
Automated Garbage and Recycling Systems: Some cities have started implementing automated garbage and recycling collection systems, where special bins are equipped with electronic sensors that notify waste management companies when they need to be emptied.

Embracing automation in various aspects of your life can be a game-changer in terms of time management and convenience. By automating household chores, bill payments, prescriptions, and other routine tasks, you’ll free up valuable time to focus on activities that bring joy and fulfillment, leading to a more balanced and stress-free lifestyle. Take advantage of the technological advancements available today and explore ways to automate tasks to optimize your daily routine.

Save Time by Automating Household Chores

I can’t afford to hire a housekeeper, and I work full time. I don’t have other family members to share the burden of taking care of household chores. How do I keep my house in order and maintain a good quality of life? Automate! Here are some ideas.

Cleaning the floor with robots

Let the Roomba or similar robotic vacuums clean the floor for you while you are at work! This is a major time saver.

Landscaping service or robotic mower?

While we are talking about robots, do you know there are robotic lawn mowers and weeders? These innovative products are offered by Automated Outdoor Solutions. Check them out!

Laundry

We all use washers and dryers, so laundry is automated. And if you use a programmable washing machine, you can schedule it to run at a convenient time, for example, two hours before you can come home to move the clean laundry to the dryer. But you can save more time by simply packing your laundry in a bag and call the local laundry delivery service. Your clothes will come back clean, fresh and ready to wear! You can further “automate” by subscribing to a weekly or biweekly delivery.

Maid service

Hey, automation doesn’t have to be by machines 😉 The robotic vacuum can only clean the floors. You can use automatic toilet bowl cleaners like Flush 2000. However, you’ll still need the clean the shower and the kitchen, do some dusting, etc. and there are no robots for those yet, as far as I know. Scheduling the cleaners to come every two weeks will do the trick!

Rent a dumpster for cleanups

De-clutter your house at least once a year to make your daily cleaning easier. Save yourself trips to the town recycling center and rent a dumpster instead. The dumpster rental company will haul your junk away for you and take care of the recycling, too!

Online food delivery service

No time for cooking and clean up afterwards? There’s nothing more convenient than having your favorite food delivered to you! You can use an app like UberEats, or order from your favorite local restaurant or supermarket as well.

Drugstore deliveries

You have probably used apps that allow you to refill prescriptions and have them delivered to you. But many drugstores, like the pharmacy near me, also have online stores where you can buy home healthcare products, personal care and even household products and deliver to you as well. Check them out!

Automatic propane delivery

If you use propane for heating, cooking, etc. for your home, sign up for automatic propane delivery. With automatic delivery, the supplier knows when to deliver propane to you without you having to call them. You’ll never run out of fuel because you forgot to check or to call. Isn’t that a life saver?

Sign up for autopay

I use autopay for all my utility bills, credit card bills, etc. It saves time and I’ll never get any penalties.

There are so many ways to automate and make our lives easier. It pays to be on the lookout for more automated solutions!

Spring Into Action: 5 Practical Spring Cleaning Tips

Cleaning season is here and homeowners are ramping up their efforts. Nearly 80% of the American population performs a major cleaning every spring. This figure is 10% higher than the prior year. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a renewed emphasis on sanitation.

In addition to the everyday vacuuming and dusting routine, there are a number of other cleaning steps we should take in Spring cleaning. Here are five practical spring cleaning tips that you may find useful.

1. Clean Out Your Closets

Over the course of winter, your closets take a beating. The vast majority of homeowners are removing and storing seasonal decorations from October to January. For many, these holiday decorations get shoved in a corner. Some people tend to hide clutter in their closets when hosting guests. The end result is an unorganized and messy closet.

In addition to the holiday onslaught, we also need to put away our winter coats and sweaters, ski apparel and boots, and bring out the spring and summer gear. Before going into storage, winter garments should be cleaned to ensure that left over body oils or spills don’t attract insects. Then fold and store them in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated area.

When you get your spring/summer clothes out of storage, check for any insect damage, decolorization, smells, mildew, etc. Air out the clothing and if necessary, take the clothes to the nearest dry cleaners to freshen up and make any alterations.

2. Clean Out the Garage and Attic

The garage and attic are two other landfills for seasonal decorations and clutter. When the weather warms up, the garage door opens and the neighborhood gets a peek inside.

It is a good idea to rent a dumpster for your decluttering efforts. You can arrange for waster removal companies to haul away your trash and unwanted items. This is a great way to start the spring fresh and clean.

3. Clean Up Medicine Cabinets

If your winter was like the rest of the country’s, there were lots of coughs and runny noses. Americans stocked up on cold and flu medication, as well as Covid-19 rapid tests. Now that winter has passed, we are starting to get seasonal allergies.

It is time to clean up your medicine cabinets to serve your family’s immediate medical needs. The first step is to replace all your expired medicine. Next, contact your local pharmacy to get your prescription refills as well as allergy and sinus medicine for the spring.

4. Refill Your Propane Tank

Warmer weather means it is time to start up the grill. Before doing so, you need to check your propane tank. It is likely that you need a refill. Order a propane refill or spare propane tank to get barbeque season rolling.

5. Change Air Filters and Clean Your Vents

Your heat pump or other central air system has been working hard to provide heat during the winter. It’s time to change the air filter to ensure that the cold air it sends through the home during the summer months does not bring in lots of airborne pollutants and allergens as well. Also, clean your vents to eliminate another dust source.

For many of us, cleaning your home is a spring ritual. This way, you can start the season fresh. With these five tips, we hope you will taking advantage of this perfect time to declutter and maximize your space, and prepare for a healthy and happy year ahead!

Tips For Caring For Your Elderly Loved Ones at Home

As our loved ones age, they feel most comfortable at home. That’s why if it’s safe for them to stay home, with some help, that’s usually the best option. But it definitely can be overwhelming for us to transition into becoming a caregiver, even if it’s not full time. Here are some tips for caring for your elderly loved ones at home.

Make the Home Safe

As we age, it becomes tricky to navigate certain spaces. Adding grab bars in the bathroom, shower and sitting areas is an easy way to give your loved one a little extra help and prevent falls. Consider reaching aids like grab claws kept in convenient places like under cabinets or in pantries.

elderly woman in the kitchen — Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Make Moving Around Easy

Canes and walkers are a helpful way to give your elderly loved ones some independence when moving around. There are even foldable walkers that can be stored away in closets or under furniture.

Prescriptions and Medical Reminders

If your loved one takes medication regularly, there are several ways to remind them to either refill prescriptions or pick up meds. You could set alarms, have them set up for monthly refills, or have the pharmacy set up reminder calls.

Companionship

If your elderly loved one is still in good health, a pet may be an option for companionship. Cats are generally less maintenance than dogs. However, some small dog breeds make great companions. If pets aren’t an option, consider hiring a sitter for the elderly a couple of days a week.

Delivery Services

There are so many grocery delivery services today, and some of them even offer special services for its elderly and high-risk clients. You can even download an app and order the groceries yourself, from your own home or office, and have them delivered to your loved one at their home. Some Boston dry cleaners and online laundry apps provide laundry delivery services as well.

Local Services

Get with your community park services. They may offer special hours or programs for elderly citizens. Even if that’s not an option, regular walks to the park or in the neighborhood are always a great idea.

Using these easy tips, caring for your elderly loved ones can be a rewarding experience for everyone.

Dealing with Fall Allergies

Many people think of Spring and Summer as big allergy triggers. But actually, Fall can be quite the culprit as well. Ragweed is rampant in autumn and can cause all sorts of problems for allergy sufferers like coughing, red and itchy eyes, and sneezing. Mold and dust mites can be another Fall allergy trigger, especially since you tend to spend much more time indoors. Here are some ways to prepare for and deal with fall allergies.

Stock up on Allergy Meds

Having everything you need for an allergy attack ready and waiting is a good idea. Since we’re going into flu season, and still have the effects of the pandemic to contend with, stocking up on supplies is key. The local pharmacy near me has everything I need to get a Fall allergy kit ready. Over the counter medications like antihistamines, pain killers, nasal sprays and decongestants are all essential to have on hand. Your pharmacy probably carries some alternative health options that could be helpful as well. Look for vapor rubs and essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint that can alleviate respiratory allergy symptoms. On the other hand, if your allergies require prescriptions, then make sure you get your prescription refills.

Give Your House a Deep Clean

Since dust and allergens tend to accumulate in the fibers of your carpets, curtains, and linens, the Fall is a great time to deep clean your home. You could rent a carpet cleaning machine or hire a cleaning service to deep clean your carpets. For curtains and linens, I find that the local dry cleaner near me is the perfect spot for help. When I mentioned that I have allergies, they said they have hypoallergenic products they could use to treat my laundry items. And don’t forget the bedding! Most dry cleaners clean comforters, bedspreads and other household items. Just be sure to call ahead to check their policies.

Clean or Replace Your Vacuum

This is something that people don’t often think of. But your vacuum can be quite the collector of dust and allergens. If you own a vacuum with a replaceable or cleanable filter, the Fall is the perfect time to do that. Read the manufacturer instructions (you can find most online) for how to replace or clean your vacuum filter and also clean out the bottom brush head. This will not only get rid of stored dust and dirt, but it will ensure your vacuum is working at its maximum power to suck up all those allergens.

Now that you’ve done everything you can to prepare for allergies, enjoy the Fall!

Support Your Local Businesses During the Pandemic

COVID-19 has changed the world, and changed the way we do just about everything. Local businesses are being hit hard, and now more than ever, we need to come together and support them. Here’s how.

Support Your Local Dry Cleaners

The dry cleaners near me are taking quite a beating right now, since the majority of the office work force is now operating remotely. You may not have suits or fancy work clothes to clean, but what else do you have lying around the house that could use refreshing? Comforters, linens and specialty fabrics maintain their shape and longevity the best when cleaned once a year. Call your local dry cleaners ahead of time to check on their current hours and policies.

Support Your Local Pharmacy

You may think that pharmacies are doing fine during the pandemic, but that may not be the case. Smaller, independent pharmacies are being hit just as hard as everyone else. Your local pharmacy isn’t just for prescriptions, they also carry most of the supplies you need for common illnesses and cuts and scrapes. And don’t forget that you can get most vaccinations and flu shots at your local pharmacy as well.

Support Your Local Restaurants

Restaurants are really struggling right now, especially the ones that usually feature fine dining. If you’ve been living off of cheap take out and more inexpensive fare, consider treating yourself once a week. Call your favorite fancy restaurant ahead of time and check to see if they’re offering take out specials. Most are, and you’ll be able to enjoy a gourmet meal in the safety of your own home.

Support Your Local Salons

Most salons are now open, although they have lots of new rules in place. If you’ve been putting off that haircut or beauty treatment, now may be the time to try. Call ahead of time to check on hours and protocols in place. Grab your mask and hand sanitizer and be sure to tip well. Most workers in the service industry are just getting back to steady income and could really use some extra support.

This is a hard time for all of us. So let’s all support each other and do what we can to make sure our favorite neighborhood spots can survive this pandemic.

Spring Cleaning Time!

Spring is here! It’s finally warm up. Now is the traditional season for fresh starts. For many, that means putting away winter clothes and giving your house a good spring cleaning. Here are a few tips for making the annual ritual less stressful.

Start with a plan. Make a list of the tasks that you want to accomplish. Assess which parts of the house you need to cover and figure out where you want to start. Review the plan with family members and get their input on the cleaning goals too.

Do a little bit at a time. You don’t have to do it all at once. Tackle one task from your list each day. Seeing results helps motivate you and makes spring cleaning feel less overwhelming.

Tackle the clutter first. Getting rid of items you no longer need or want will help to free up space. Freeing up space also makes it easier to clean so the rest of the job goes smoothly. Tackling the clutter can also help reduce feelings of stress or anxiety. Spring cleaning is a good time to organize things and to get rid of unused clothing, furniture, and appliances.

Always dry clean your winter clothes before you put them away for the season. Particles left on your winter clothes can stain and set in after months of storage. During that time, moths may feast on the dirty fabric as well. You can also use a laundry delivery service for the heavier bed linens and comforters to save time and effort.

Don’t forget the medicine cabinet. Gather up any medications that have expired or are no longer needed, including both prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. Having expired medication around not only clutters your cabinets, but can also be dangerous. You don’t want to risk yourself or a loved one taking the wrong medication. Your local pharmacy can help you refill prescriptions and restock over the counter medications as well as dispose of the expired ones properly.

Check the fridge and pantry for expired food items and throw them out. Again, freeing up space allows you to organize your food items and become a more efficient cook.

Spring cleaning is a great tradition. Make it a fun activity for the family and everyone can enjoy a cleaner and more organized home afterwards.

Helping Your Aging Parent Stay At Home

Newton has the fifth largest senior population in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and older people are known to be at higher risk from COVID-19. Although the city is working to make sure seniors are safe, you may be wondering if your parent or senior loved one who lives alone needs extra support during this pandemic. The best thing you can do is encourage them to stay home and practice social distancing to avoid exposure. Here are a few things to make staying home easier.

old woman on a phone call with a loved one

Before you talk with your loved one about the need for COVID-19 precautions, get up to speed on facts and information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or from the state or local health department. This will help you be better able to correct any misinformation they may have. If there is a home health aide, some precautions are needed. Discuss with the home care agency what protocols they have in place to reduce risk. In addition to helping with activities of daily living, the home caregiver can help your loved one follow the CDC’s risk-reducing recommendations and also monitor for symptoms so they can alert you.

To make sure they have enough of the daily essentials like food and medicine, you may want to stock a couple of weeks’ worth of groceries including food, pet supplies, cleaning supplies, etc. and to gather a one to three month supply of medications. Use a prescription pharmacy in Newton that provides prescription delivery service and/or curbside pickup to keep up with the medications. For groceries, remember to check the availability of time slots for delivery. Laundry pickup service can help avoid trips to the nearest dry cleaner in Newton or laundromat where social distancing is hard to maintain.

Check in frequently by phone, FaceTime, or Zoom to stay connected. Companionship and social relationships are important to the mental health of an aging adult. Social distancing makes it difficult for us to communicate effectively and intimately with our senior loved ones, but digital communications can help quite a bit during these unprecedented times.

photo credit: Image by Sabine van Erp from Pixabay

Using Delivery Services During the Coronavirus Outbreak

We heard from Governor Charlie Baker yesterday that the number of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts will begin to surge sometime between April 7 and 17. With the stay-at-home advisory and social distancing guidance still in place until April 30, we’ll need to find new ways to manage our daily lives. Fortunately, we have the Internet, various online tools to help us work remotely and entertain ourselves. And for the physical stuff, we can take advantage of delivery service.

Laundry Delivery

Cleanliness is key during this time. Other than washing our hands and disinfecting frequently used surfaces, we need to keep our clothing and bed linens clean. Using a germ-free laundry service can be extra beneficial. If you usually take your laundry to a dry cleaner or a laundromat, this would be a good time to switch to a free laundry delivery service. Even though dry cleaners are considered an essential service by the state, they usually reduce hours and avoid having you in the store as much as possible.

Prescription Delivery

Medical supplies are critical too, especially prescriptions. Pharmacies are also an essential service and will stay open, but they, too, may reduce hours. In the suburbs, curbside service is often available – you drive up to the curb, call the store and they will bring the prescriptions or other medical supplies to you. Many drugstores also offer prescription delivery service within their neighborhoods. You should call your local drugstore to find out if they offer this service.

Food and Grocery Delivery

We all need food. While all the restaurants have closed, we can still order food online and then either pickup or get it delivered. Many supermarkets also offer grocery delivery service and even meals to go. These days, we may find empty shelves for certain food items. Rather than making several trips to get all the food items that you need, it is better to stay safe and order online instead.

When taking advantage of delivery service, make sure that it is contactless. Ask the driver to leave the delivery items on your doorstep and then pick them up after they left.

Let’s all be careful and stay healthy!