Tips for Helping Aging Parents Declutter Their Home

With more life experience comes more memories and often more belongings. Seniors tend to keep things that hold meaning to them, or that they think they may need. They may have grown up in hard times where certain materials were hard to come by. Or perhaps a loved one has passed away and certain objects remind them of that person. There are many reasons why seniors’ homes may become cluttered.

Taking the time to help them declutter can not only enhance their safety, but also makes eventual downsizing easier. Should they move to assisted living, a nursing home, or even in with a family member, they won’t be able to take everything with them. Starting early and going slowly can reduce stress and frustration with the process. Here are a few more tips to get started:

Recognize the emotional connection: Even though you may not have an emotional connection to many of the objects, your parent probably does. Give them the opportunity to talk about different items as you work on cleaning and decluttering. Gently explain that it is the memory that lives on, even if the object isn’t present. Write down some of the stories they tell to keep the memory alive.

Pass items on to family: It can be easier for an elderly parent to pass on some of their favorite keepsakes rather than donating them or throwing them away. They may find peace in the fact that it is staying within the family and holds meaning to someone else as well. Let family members help select items that are special to them.

Go slowly: Though it can be frustrating and tedious, don’t rush the process. You’re likely to cause more damage by forcing your parent to go through things more quickly than they are ready to. Start by tackling small areas such as a closet or a drawer or two. As they ease into the process you can shift to larger areas. Keep in mind that it can be emotionally taxing for your loved one, as well as physically tiring to go through their belongings.

Donate to charity: Encourage your loved one to donate gently used items to charity so that they can help others. Their belongings will be put to good use and there are others who can appreciate them. If they have multiples of the same item, ask them to choose which one means the most to keep, and then donate the others.

Improve storage: Decluttering doesn’t always mean getting rid of things. Sometimes it can mean better organizing. Make use of storage bins, shelves, and other organizers so that everything has its place. Keep things that are used more frequently within easy view and reach. This process can also help your senior to shed excess belongings when they see that things don’t fit neatly.

Ultimately, it is your parent’s decision about what they want to keep. If they’re not ready to part with something yet, don’t force it. You can always revisit the subject at a later time. Once you have started to declutter, it’s important to keep things organized. An in-home caregiver can assist your senior with organization and making sure things are easily accessible and put back in place when they are done. They can also support daily tasks and provide safety and companionship. For more information about senior services in the Asheville-Hendersonville area, contact Always Best Care at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online.