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[kate2357]

I was visiting my husband's aunt (Hildie) at her home today and boy oh boy, the things you learn that you should maybe already have known.

Hildie is almost 80, in good health and lives on her own. She recently lost her live-in companion (she got married at 68, woo hoo) who also helped w/ keeping the house up. On my visit today I started opening up the blinds and drapes because the sun was actually out and oh my goodness, the dust on everything was just beyond belief. When I asked Hildie why everything was so dusty she informed me she had better things to do than dust and that's why she kept the blinds closed. Apparently she is under the belief that if SHE can't see it, it must not be there. Sigh.

Needless to say, I spent a good chunk of time dusting and cleaning. She's such a dear, but I just don't know how the dust didn't make it difficult for her to breathe. I've already warned my hubby we need to have a chat tonight. We need to find someone to either go in and clean once a week or find another companion/helper who can keep the place tidy. Until then, I will make sure we all get over there to help more often.

[godi]

I thought you were going to say  someone saw you in a somewhat undressed situation.  

I clean daily and I am surprised by the way dust piles up, I can't imagine what you cleaned today. God bless you for helping her. 

[maximillian]

If I live long enough to be 80 y-o, I don't think I will care about dust either!  I hope ther are some things in her life that give her pleasure.  Evidently, dusting is not one of them.  Good for her!

[Skyegirl21]

I guess it's an aging thing. My Mom is 84 and her house is terribly dusty, dirty too (I just mean needs a regular cleaning). But she either doesn't see or doesn't care-  She can afford to have someone clean but hates having strangers in the house.  During my next visit, I need to clean for her...

I also remember my MIL as she got quite old and same exact thing. She Didn't see it or didn't care... 

[september]

Living in a dusty home is not a good thing for people with respiratory problems.  It's not just about how it looks. 

My mom was one of the older folks in this situation, and it made her asthma worse.  She could afford to have a cleaning person come in weekly, but she didn't see it as a problem. 

once she went into assisted living (due to another health issue), she no longer needed to use an inhaler.  

[Mom2Dogs]

@kate2357   I posted on another thread I was helping an elderly woman, 91, to spring clean her house.  She does not see the thick layer of dust and dust bunnies in her house.  She has me doing random things, that she thinks needs done while what needs to be done is ignored.

I have tried politely telling her I could do this or that but she insists on what she wants done.

[kate2357]

@maximillian

Hildie does keep herself very busy. She has a book club, a garden club, plays Bridge once a week, her church activities take a lot of her time and she does Zoom calls with her grandkids. She and her former companion made up one of the rooms like a stage and she has various backdrops and props. She was going to the Y for senior water aerobics, not sure if that's still a thing or not.

And ITA that a bit of dust ain't no big thing, but I am worried about cleanliness and air quality. It had to have been months since anything was dusted.]

[Pooky1]

I new someone years ago that she cleaned her moms bedroom and she said my moms lucky she didn't get suffercatted by dust.

[Goldengate8361]

I suggest just buying her a good size and quality air cleaner (like Honeywell) and then just let it be. Dust doesn't kill. If she doesn't care, maybe its more important to respect her independence and dignity and not interfere in her business (however well intended). 

[Scooby Doo]

Yeah that dusting is a thankless chore.  I spend lots of time dusting my whole house and then 6 months later I have to do it all over again.