What Differentiates Regular Vacuums From Vacuums for the Elderly?
Vacuums are generally considered to be heavy cleaning devices that require a considerable amount of strength to use. Due to their weight, they can be difficult for the elderly to use. However, many vacuums designed specifically for the elderly are available on the market. The manufacturers have made slight tweaks that make them perfect for elderly use.
One of the biggest challenges the elderly face when using vacuums is their weight. Vacuums for elderly use are purposefully designed to be lightweight, so they can easily wield them without much difficulty.
Vacuums are also a little challenging to operate, which is why vacuums for the elderly have an intuitive design that makes them easy to use. You won’t have any trouble if you have never used a vacuum.
Most vacuums for the elderly are also optimized to have more maneuverability. They usually have swivel necks and soft handles, which make maneuvering the vacuum around tight spots much easier.
What Do You Give Up When Choosing a Lightweight Vacuum for the Elderly?
Some downsides come with choosing a vacuum for the elderly because small changes are made to reduce the weight of the vacuum. These changes make it, so the user does not have to exert much force.
Lightweight vacuums are extremely useful, but they are small and have smaller dust capacities. Due to their small dust capacity, you may have to clean them out frequently.
Vacuums designed for the elderly are also mostly cordless. Corded varieties are also available, but cordless ones are preferred. Such vacuums have small batteries, meaning you can only use them for short bursts at a time. Some cordless batteries come with swappable batteries. If you want to use your vacuum for longer, you may want to invest in vacuums that offer those.
Vacuums for the elderly are often compact, which makes them easy to use. Still, the design doesn’t allow you to store the equipment within the vacuum. You will have to keep them separately, which may be slightly inconvenient.
Best Kinds of Vacuums for the Elderly
Various kinds of vacuums are available on the market, and most have lightweight versions, which are perfect for elderly use. Before looking at models, you should know what kind of vacuum you want. There are five different kinds available.
Upright Vacuums
Upright vacuums are excellent cleaning devices as they are lightweight and versatile. They stand tall and on their own as they balance on the powerhead attached to the bottom. These vacuums are excellent for elderly use as they are lightweight and efficient. They can clean carpets and hardwood floors efficiently.
Handheld Vacuums
Handheld vacuums are perfect for elderly use owing to their compact nature. They are portable devices excellent for cleaning smaller messes and quick spills. Their size does not allow for a large dustbin and battery, but they are easy to store. They are one of the smallest vacuums available.
Stick Vacuums
Stick vacuums are a type of upright vacuum but are much lighter and more compact in comparison. They are ideal for cleaning medium and small-sized messes and are highly portable. Stick vacuums are also extremely easy to use, making them perfect for the elderly.
They are often cordless, which allows you to easily move around your home without being tethered to a power source. The size and form factor of stick vacuums also make them ideal for everyday use.
Canister Vacuums
Canister vacuums are larger vacuums, but many of them are modified to be lightweight, making them perfect for elderly use. They have two parts, the canister, and the hose. The canister houses the dust bags, filter, and motor. The hose is attached to the motor on one end, and tools or attachments on the other.
Canister vacuums are easy to maneuver around your space because their bodies are set on wheels, which you can roll around with you. They are perfect for deep cleaning larger areas owing to their efficient motors. These vacuums can suck up dirt, debris, and other allergens that settle onto hardwood floors and carpet fibers.
Robot Vacuums
Robot vacuums are autonomous cleaners and perhaps the best vacuums for the elderly as you do not need to operate them manually. They use advanced technology to clean your home and are highly convenient. They may not be as powerful as other vacuums, but they can be set on a schedule, allowing them to clean while you watch.
Important Features To Consider
If you are in the market to purchase a vacuum for the elderly, you may just want a lightweight vacuum. However, you should consider many other essential features to ensure that you get your money’s worth.
Weight of the Vacuum
With their declining strength, the elderly cannot use a heavy vacuum that weighs a ton. Therefore, you should purchase a lightweight vacuum that allows you to clean without straining your back or wrist. Ideally, your vacuum should not weigh more than 3kgs.
If your vacuum is heavier, you may have trouble picking it up and carrying it around. Additionally, suppose you plan on using it for extended periods. In that case, a heavy vacuum may be a nuisance, which is why a lightweight vacuum is the best choice.
You should also consider the balance of the vacuum. Stick and upright vacuums are available in two configurations. In one, the motor is near the head of the vacuum, which allows for increased maneuverability but decreased suction power. The second configuration has the motor near the powerhead, which increases the suction power but decreases the maneuverability.
Try both and see which suits you best and does not strain your joints. You also have to consider whether you prefer having more maneuverability or suction power.
Easy to Use
If you are looking for a vacuum for the elderly, purchasing one that is easy to use is crucial. There are many different features that make a vacuum easy to use, including the ergonomic design, the form factor, additional features, etc.
The vacuum you choose should have an ergonomic design, meaning that the handles should be comfortable to hold for long sessions. They should also be placed according to your height. Try to purchase one with adjustable handles that you can move them up or down.
The vacuum should also have a small form factor, as they are easy to use and store away. Storage is often tricky with larger vacuums, but you can easily store smaller vacuums. They can be stored in a closet, under your bed, etc.
There are many other features that make vacuums easy to use, such as headlights. They illuminate dark corners of your homes, making it easy to see whether or not all the dust has been sucked and if you need to go over the area.
Some vacuums even have an app you can connect to using your phone. This app displays the battery levels of the vacuum and other statistics. If you purchase a cordless vacuum, ensure that it has a decent run time and a battery indicator, so you know when to charge it.
Other essential features that make vacuums easy to use include a swivel head, which allows the vacuum head to turn easily, allowing for a more extensive range of motion. This feature is ideal for senior citizens as they can change their direction when needed.
The power button should also be situated where your hand can reach comfortably. Try to pick a vacuum with the power button at the handle, as they are much easier to reach.
Motor
A high-quality and powerful motor is essential regardless of who uses the vacuum. It should have decent suction power and should be able to clean messes of all sizes. The power of the motor you choose must also depend on your usage. A powerful motor with high wattage is essential if you plan on cleaning large surfaces and big messes.
If your usage is limited, and you only intend to clean small messes, you can make do with a less powerful vacuum. The more powerful a vacuum’s motor, the more expensive it will be, so you should choose wisely.
The power of a vacuum is usually stated in amps. A standard vacuum is 12 amps, so you should aim to purchase one that is at least 12 amps. A device with a lower rating will be less powerful, and you won’t be able to use it for larger messes.
Powerful vacuums are also nosier, which is another factor you should keep in mind.
Attachments
Most vacuums come with various attachments that make cleaning your home easier. These attachments are designed to increase your vacuum’s tasks and the surfaces it can clean. Some extensions that your vacuum should come with include a crevice tool, a pet brush, an upholstery tool, and a motorized power nozzle.
A crevice tool is incredibly useful in cleaning out deep crevices which are hard to reach if you have a regular vacuum. A pet brush helps pick up pet hair from hardwood surfaces and carpets. An upholstery tool can be used on furniture and couches, allowing you to pick up hair, dirt, dust, and debris.
A motorized power nozzle is another useful attachment that can clean dirt and debris lodged into carpets’ fibers. You can use it to clean various surfaces, but it works best on carpets and rugs.
Corded vs. Cordless
Vacuums are either corded or cordless, but for the elderly, cordless vacuums are generally preferred. The type of vacuum you choose should depend on your usage because corded vacuums are also easy for the elderly to use. Still, they will limit the area they can clean at a time.
Cordless vacuums give you the freedom to move around and take the vacuum with you. Such vacuums are often lighter, which is ideal for senior citizens. If you intend to clean larger areas, then you may want to look into getting a corded vacuum. Otherwise, purchasing a cordless vacuum will be a practical decision.
| Corded Vacuums | Cordless Vacuums |
| These are powerful vacuums with high suction power. | They are lightweight, compact, and portable. |
| They are slightly bulkier and heavier owing to their motor and large bin capacity. | You can move around easily and are not tethered to a power source. |
| You can use them for long periods without worrying about the battery. | They come with swappable or secondary batteries to use when they first run out or are being charged. |
| They are long-lasting as there are no batteries that degrade over time. | They can be charged when not used if they have a dock station. |
Filtration
When choosing a vacuum to purchase, you should choose one that has a robust filtration system. HEPA or equivalent filters are the best, as they can remove 99.97% of all particles from the air. These filters can also remove particles as small as 0.3 microns.
If you suffer from any sort of allergies or asthma, HEPA filters or equivalent ones are the ones to go for. They are highly effective and can collect pet hair, pollen, dust, and dust mites. Such filters are also used in some of the best vacuums for pets because they efficiently clean pet dander.
Bagged or Bagless
When purchasing vacuums, you will come across two kinds of vacuum dustbins, bagged and bagless. A bagged dustbin requires you to detach the bag that collects the dust and debris and dispose of it. Bagless dustbins have a release button, which releases the dust, dirt, and debris the vacuum collects.
In terms of ease, bagged vacuums are much easier to maintain and are hygienic. You do not need to come in contact with the dirt and can simply throw out the bag once it becomes filled. Although bagless vacuums are cheaper, cleaning them out may be exhausting for senior citizens.
Dustbin Capacity
Vacuums for the elderly are lightweight, which is why such vacuums do not have a large dustbin. Large dustbins usually increase the weight of a vacuum, which is why companies prefer to install smaller-sized dustbins on their lightweight vacuums.
The size of the dustbin you opt for depends on your usage. Suppose you intend to use it for extended periods and large messes. In that case, you should choose a vacuum with a large dustbin capacity. If you are using it for smaller tasks, you should opt for a vacuum that has a smaller dustbin.
Larger dustbins are also expensive, which is another factor you should consider when purchasing a vacuum.
Noise
You should also consider the amount of noise a vacuum will make before you purchase one. Vacuums with powerful motors are generally extremely noisy, which is not ideal for elderly people.
You should always opt for a quieter vacuum with a low decibel rating. Most elderly people are hard of hearing, making it challenging to hear softer sounds, like a doorbell, over a loud vacuum. Ideally, you should choose a vacuum with a rating of around 60dB to 65 dB because it is quieter than traditional vacuums.
Pros and Cons of Vacuums for the Elderly
| Pros | Cons |
| They are lightweight and easy to use. | They are not as powerful and are ideal for everyday cleaning. |
| They are quiet. | The cordless versions run out of battery pretty quickly. |
| They come with many different attachments that make them incredibly useful for cleaning various surfaces around your home. | They are compact and do not have space to store the attachments. |
| They have a robust filtration system because they use HEPA filters. | They have smaller dustbins and need to be cleaned out frequently. |
Brands
There are many vacuums available for the elderly, but it is better if you purchase from a well-known brand if you have the funds to do so. Brands such as Dyson, Bissell, Eureka, etc., are known to use the latest technology and high-quality mechanics for their devices. Therefore, they are ideal for senior citizens as they won’t break easily and won’t need to be repaired frequently.
Dyson
Dyson vacuums are well-known in the industry because they are some of the market’s most efficient and well-loved vacuums. Their lightweight models are robust and weigh only 3kgs, making them extremely easy for the elderly to handle.
Their vacuums are also versatile and can clean up various surfaces. Their high suction power also allows you to pick up all kinds of messes, such as dust, dirt, pet hair, etc. Dyson also uses HEPA filters, which are one of the best filters, and are perfect for people with asthma and allergies.
These vacuums also come with various attachments, such as a crevice tool, a stair tool, a motorized nozzle, etc. Some popular models for the elderly include the Dyson Cyclone V10 and the Dyson Micro 1.5kg.
Bissell
Bissell vacuums create some of the best vacuums for the elderly because they are lightweight and portable. Their lightweight vacuums barely weigh more than 3kg, making them easy to carry and store. They manufacture a variety of vacuums, including canister vacuums, stick vacuums, upright vacuums, etc., and they can all be used by senior citizens.
Bissell vacuums are also designed to be highly maneuverable so that you can clean tight corners. They also come with tools that help clean surfaces, such as carpets, stairs, and deep crevices. Some popular Bissell vacuums for the elderly include the Bissell PowerEdge Vacuum and the Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum.
Eureka
Eureka’s vacuums are known in the industry to be highly efficient. They are lightweight and don’t weigh more than 3kg, making them light and portable. Eureka vacuums are cheap but effective as they can clean various messes from different surfaces. They also come with a variety of attachments. Some popular models include the Eureka PowerSpeed Turbo Vacuum and the Eureka NEU182A.
FAQs
1. What kind of vacuums are easiest to push?
Lightweight vacuums are generally easy to push, even with arthritis. They need little force as they are designed to glide across floors. Vacuums are usually easier to push on hardwood floors.
2. What are the three most important features to consider when purchasing vacuums for senior citizens?
The three most important features are the weight of the vacuum, its power, and its maneuverability.
3. Are cordless vacuums better for the elderly?
Yes. Cordless vacuums are generally preferred over corded ones for the elderly because they allow them to move without restrictions. They also don’t have to bend down to plug it in.
4. Can you make a vacuum easier to push?
Yes. If your vacuum is becoming hard to push, inspect the brush belt. If it is not turning, you need to replace it.
Conclusion
If you are in the market for a vacuum for the elderly, you may opt for a lightweight one that is easy to push. However, there are many other factors that you need to take into consideration. For example, how easy is it to use, what kind of dustbin it has, is it corded or cordless, etc.
By keeping these considerations in mind, you can purchase a vacuum that best fits your needs.
