Damp, Mould and Pests: Protecting Older Health

How damp, mould and pests affect older adults

• Breathing: mould spores and damp air can trigger cough, wheeze, breathlessness, a blocked nose and chest infection, particularly in asthma and COPD; see asthma in older adults and copd at home guide.
• Infection risk: a weakened immune system makes older adults and people with diabetes or on certain medicines more vulnerable to fungal infection of the skin, nails and lungs.
• Skin: damp clothing and bedding encourage fungal skin infections, particularly in skin folds; see itchy, dry and fragile skin in older adults.
• Allergy: dust mites, cockroach droppings and mould are common triggers.
• Mosquito-borne disease: dengue, malaria and chikungunya; see dengue and malaria in older adults.
• Food poisoning and stomach infection from flies, cockroaches and rodents; see diarrhoea and dehydration in seniors.
• Bites and stings: from mosquitoes, bed bugs, ants, wasps and fleas, which can become infected, particularly in fragile skin.
• Falls: wet floors, moss and puddles; see flooring, rugs and trip hazards.
• Mood and comfort: a damp, smelly, pest-ridden home is wearing, and can add to low mood.

Find the cause of damp first

Damp comes from three main sources, and the remedy depends on which. - Condensation: moisture from cooking, bathing, drying clothes indoors and breathing condenses on cold surfaces and corners. It improves with ventilation, extraction and drying laundry elsewhere. - Leaks and rising damp: a leaking roof, pipe, tank or wall, or moisture rising from the ground. These need repair by a plumber, mason or builder; cleaning mould without fixing the leak only buys time. - Seepage after monsoon rain: poor drainage, blocked gutters and cracks in external walls. Signs to look for: musty smell, peeling paint or plaster, dark patches, stains that grow after rain, damp cupboards and swollen wood. See temperature and ventilation at home.

Preventing damp and mould

• Ventilate daily: open windows in dry spells for short periods, use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and keep cupboards slightly open.
• Dry laundry thoroughly, outdoors, on a balcony or in a ventilated room; avoid drying clothes in the bedroom of an older adult.
• Wipe condensation from windows and walls; squeegee bathroom walls and floors after use.
• Keep furniture a little away from outer walls, so that air can circulate.
• Use a dehumidifier or moisture absorbers where damp is persistent; empty and clean them regularly.
• Store things off the floor in damp-prone rooms, and avoid cardboard on damp floors.
• Fix leaks promptly: taps, pipes, roof, balconies and window frames.
• Clear drains, gutters and balcony outlets before the monsoon.
• Protect mattresses and pillows: use breathable protectors, air them in the sun on dry days and avoid storing beds against damp walls; see mattress protector guide and pillow hygiene and allergies.
• Air quality: an air quality monitor and, for those with lung disease and when the doctor agrees, an air purifier; see air quality monitor for homes and air purifier buying guide.

Cleaning mould safely

Small patches, up to the size of a palm or a little larger, can usually be cleaned by the household; extensive mould needs a professional. - Keep your parent out of the room during cleaning and for some time after; open windows. - Protect yourself: wear a suitable mask, gloves and eye protection. - Use soap and water, or a mild cleaner, with a damp cloth; do not dry-brush, which spreads spores. - Do not mix cleaning chemicals; some combinations release toxic fumes. Do not use strong bleach in a closed bathroom. - Dry the surface completely afterwards. - Throw away heavily mouldy porous items, such as soft furnishings and mattresses that cannot be cleaned. - Repeat checks: if mould returns within weeks, the cause is moisture, and it needs to be found and fixed. - Do not paint over mould without cleaning and fixing the cause.

Common household pests and sensible control

### Cockroaches

They spread germs and trigger allergy and asthma. They thrive on food, water and warmth. - Remove food and water sources: seal food in containers, wipe spills, empty bins daily, fix leaking taps and keep kitchen sinks dry at night. - Seal gaps around pipes, cupboards and skirting. - Clean behind appliances and in drains. - Use baits and gels in cracks, out of reach of the person; avoid foggers and sprays near an older adult.

### Ants and silverfish

Wipe sweet spills, store sugar and grains in sealed containers and fix damp. Silverfish indicate damp books and cupboards; dry and ventilate.

### Rodents

They contaminate food and spread disease. - Store food in sealed containers, keep bins covered and seal holes. - Use snap traps or professional services in places where an older person, children or pets cannot reach them; avoid scattering poison where a person with memory problems might touch it. - Wash hands and clean surfaces after handling droppings, using gloves; do not sweep dry droppings.

### Mosquitoes

• Remove standing water: coolers, buckets, flower pots, trays, tyres, tanks and any container where water collects, weekly.
• Cover water tanks and fit screens on windows and doors.
• Use nets over beds, particularly for bedridden people.
• Wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk.
• Repellents and coils: use skin repellents as directed and as the pharmacist advises for fragile skin; coils and vaporisers can irritate the chest, so use them in ventilated rooms and not near people with asthma or COPD.
• Know the signs of dengue and malaria and seek care for fever early; see monsoon illnesses and older adults.

### Bed bugs and fleas

Itchy bites in lines, tiny blood spots on sheets and small dark specks on mattresses. Wash bedding in hot water, vacuum and steam seams, dry bedding in strong sun, avoid moving infested items and call a professional for persistent infestations. Do not spray mattresses with strong chemicals where someone sleeps.

Pest control products and professionals

• Treat the cause first: food, water, entry points and clutter.
• Choose the least toxic option that works: baits, traps, sealing and cleaning before sprays.
• Hire a licensed pest control service for infestations; ask what products are used, how they are applied, how long to stay out and what safety measures are taken, and ask for a written record.
• Protect your parent: move them to another room or out of the house during treatment, ventilate afterwards, and keep them away until it is safe; remove or cover food, utensils, bedding and medicines.
• Do not apply pesticides near an older adult, near food or in a bedroom by yourself, and never mix or decant products.
• Store products out of reach, in original containers, away from anyone with memory problems.
• Avoid unregulated or illegal products, and keep packaging for the doctor if there is a reaction.
• If someone feels unwell after exposure, with breathing difficulty, headache, nausea, vomiting, drooling or twitching, move them to fresh air and seek help; call 112 for severe symptoms.

Plants, fabrics and storage

• Indoor plants: some add moisture and mould in the soil; keep pots on trays that are emptied and avoid overwatering.
• Fabrics: wash curtains, covers and bedding regularly; dry them thoroughly; see bed linen for sensitive older skin.
• Cupboards and trunks: air them in the sun, and use dry sachets or other safe moisture absorbers.
• Food storage: airtight containers, regular checks for expiry and spoilage; see kitchen safety for older adults.

A monsoon-readiness checklist

1. Inspect the roof, balcony drains, gutters and tanks. 2. Fix leaks and cracks. 3. Clear standing water and screen windows. 4. Air and sun-dry mattresses, pillows and cupboards. 5. Set up a dry place for devices, strips and medicines. 6. Check bathrooms for mould and ventilation. 7. Place non-slip mats and tape at wet areas; see non-slip bath mats guide and anti-slip tape and coatings. 8. Plan pest control before the rains rather than during them. See also monthly home safety check.

Warning signs: when to call the doctor

Call the doctor the same day for: new or worsening cough, wheeze or breathlessness in damp weather; fever; a skin rash that spreads, blisters or weeps; bites that become red, hot or swollen; diarrhoea or vomiting; or signs of dengue or malaria such as fever with severe headache and body ache. Call 112 for: severe breathlessness, blue lips, confusion, collapse, a severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing), or poisoning from chemicals.

Common mistakes

• Cleaning mould without finding the leak.
• Spraying strong chemicals in a room where an older person sleeps.
• Drying laundry in the bedroom.
• Using bleach in a closed bathroom or mixing cleaners.
• Leaving standing water in pots and trays.
• Putting poison where someone with memory loss could find it.
• Ignoring early signs of fever in the monsoon.

When to ask a professional

Ask the doctor about breathing problems, skin infections and fever. Ask a builder, mason or plumber to find and fix leaks and damp. Ask a licensed pest control service about infestations and safe methods. Ask an occupational therapist about home hazards.