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.

Recognizing Signs of Depression in the Elderly and How you can Help

Aging brings about many changes. Once many people retire they find that their schedule and routine are different. They have more free time than they used to and may not be sure what to do with themselves. Without a job to go to each day, they may feel as though they’ve lost a sense of purpose. They may be facing more health issues that make daily tasks more challenging. Depression should not be seen as a common part of getting older because there are many ways to help keep your senior in brighter spirits.

Signs of Depression:

• Sadness: This is one of the most common signs that people tend to be aware of. In some seniors being sad may not involve crying but be more a feeling of emptiness and loneliness. They may have lost friends and loved ones over the years and feel like something is missing. Sometimes seniors are actually more stoic and deny that there is anything wrong.
• Lack of interest: They may have stopped participating in activities they once enjoyed or be more reluctant to go out and be social. You may find that they’re spending more time alone and are disengaged.
• Excessive sleeping: Depression may make them more tired and lethargic. Instead of going out with friends or doing things, they just want to sleep. The motivation and energy are not there.
• Changes in eating habits: You may notice that your elderly parent is eating more than once did, or eating hardly at all. Depression can cause changes in appetite which can have more serious effects over time. It is important that your senior is getting the proper vitamins and nutrients but also that they are watching their weight. Too far in either direction can be troublesome.
• Pain: Some senior have increased aches and pains with depression. They may complain of a headache or stomachache that doesn’t seem to stem from other causes.

These signs do not always indicate depression and may be the side effect of other medications or health conditions. Track your observations and talk to their doctor about what you have been noticing. They can help you to determine if it is depression or may be the result of something else.

If your loved one does have depression, try to spend quality time with them and do enjoyable activities together. Keep a positive attitude and be understanding. Listen to what may be troubling them and work together to find solutions. You can find many great community programs for seniors to keep them active, involved, and meeting new people.

An in-home caregiver can provide companionship and spend time doing activities that your elderly parent enjoys. The caregiver can assist them on outings and when visiting neighbors or friends. Your senior can rest easier knowing that someone is there to help them around the home and to do what they want to do. A little extra support can boost their confidence and motivation. If this sounds like a service that would enhance your senior’s wellbeing and help them to live a fuller life, contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville today to schedule your free consultation and find out more about what we have to offer. Call (828) 989-7263 or visit us online today.

Kitchen Renovations to Enhance your Senior’s Safety

The kitchen is most likely a central room in your aging parent’s Asheville home. It is where they prepare meals and often where some socialization occurs.  Ensuring that their kitchen meets their needs and everything is easily accessible is important to safety as they age. Trying to reach things on cluttered or high shelves or having to navigate tricky handles can be frustrating and dangerous. Making a few modifications to your senior’s kitchen can allow them to age in place more comfortably and safely. While some are relatively simple and cheap fixes, others require a little more planning.

Clear counter space so that they have plenty of room to work. This will allow them to keep necessary items close by as they prepare their meal, and they don’t have to constantly be trying to move things out of the way. Consider lining the edge of the counter with contrasting tape so that is more easily visible as they work.

Use non-slip flooring to help prevent falls. Traction is important, especially if your loved one has some balance or mobility issues. If there are rugs in the kitchen, make sure they are held securely in place and the edges are not rolled up where they can be tripped over.

Replace cabinet and drawer knobs with easier to pull handles. This reduces the need to try to grip something small in order to open the cabinet or drawer. Pull handles can be much easier to use and make things more convenient for those with arthritis. 

Install slide-out shelves or lazy Susans in cabinets so the contents are easier to reach. Your senior won’t have to try to dig to the back to find what they need. Pull-down shelving can make accessing cabinets more convenient as well. You don’t want your loved one to have to stretch and reach too much.

Side-by-side refrigerator and freezers mean less bending and stooping. More products can be kept in easy-to-reach locations. Also consider appliances that have larger displays that are easier to see and read. Bigger buttons and knobs can be simpler to navigate.

Increased lighting can also improve safety by making everything more visible. This can be valuable especially if their vision has deteriorated. Using contrasting colors for different objects can be beneficial as well. This makes them easier to pick out so they don’t blend into the background.

There are many other modifications such as pull-out counter space and raised or lowered cabinets as well if you are looking to make more extensive renovations. Planning ahead can allow you to make changes over time and better prepare for when they are needed. If your senior needs help around their Hendersonville home, in-home care through Always Best Care may be just what you are looking for. From help with planning and preparing meals to clean-up and organization, a caregiver can assist with these tasks and so much more. Support your aging parent in maintaining their independence as they age in place with high quality elder care from Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville. Call us today at (828) 989-7263 or visit www.alwaysbestcareWNC.com for your free consultation.