It is a normal thing for your elderly loved one to want to keep all of their stuff. They have been on this Earth for many years. They want to hold on tight to all of their memories. However, it is also important for your elderly loved one to keep clutter out of their home. The more clutter they have, the more likely they are to fall. In addition, if they do fall, they could get injured on the stuff that is around their home. Your loved one doesn’t necessarily have to get rid of everything. However, there are some clutter management tips that you or an elderly care provider could help them with.
Do One Thing at a Time
If you or an elderly care provider is helping your loved one to declutter, it is important to only do one thing at a time. For instance, you can help your elderly loved one to clean out one drawer or one shelve at a time. Everything didn’t accumulate all at once. It isn’t reasonable to clean and organize it all in one day. Taking this process slower can help your elderly loved one to accept that they need to declutter. It could make them more likely to get rid of things they don’t need.
Keeping Some Things
If your elderly loved one has a lot of clutter, don’t push them to get rid of everything. It is a good idea for them to keep some things. For instance, if your elderly loved one has a full closet full of their deceased spouse’s clothes, encourage them to box away most of it. They can keep a few items in the closet. If they can’t bring themselves to get rid of the rest of the items, they can box them up and put in a storage unit, in the basement, or the garage.
Have a Spot for Everything
When helping your elderly loved one to declutter, it is important to encourage them to find a spot for everything. For instance, if your elderly loved one wants a place for knick-knacks, encourage them to have one shelving unit for them. If they have additional knick-knacks, it might be a good idea to have them store those away someplace. Having a spot for everything will reduce the clutter on counters and on the floor.
Conclusion
These are some of the clutter management tips that you and an elderly care provider can help your loved one with. If your loved one can get their clutter under control, they will have a more organized home. In addition, it can reduce the risk of having a fall. It can also reduce their risk of getting an injury if they fall, too.
Sources
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2014/declutter-tips-for-home.html
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring homecare in Sunnyvale, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969.