The AARP’s ten-year study indicates that over 77% of individuals aged 50 and above prefer to continue living in their homes as they age.
While this choice can simplify life for seniors, it introduces new challenges for the younger generation. One of the main challenges is managing the accumulation of belongings.
On average, Americans possess around 300,000 items in their homes, and one in ten Americans rent external storage space for their excess belongings.
Over the years, seniors accumulate many items that they might no longer use daily.
These extra belongings can clutter the home, making it difficult for seniors to move around safely and potentially complicating any plans to downsize to a smaller living space.
This situation highlights the importance of effective decluttering. And your caregivers must know how to declutter your client’s home.
To help you with this, today we are sharing practical tips to enhance elderly care at home.
When discussing decluttering with your client, emphasize these benefits:
People accumulate belongings and find it difficult to part with them for various reasons. They might believe they will use the items in the future, fear needing them at a crucial moment, or hold onto collections that evoke memories of happier times. Regardless, assisting aging parents with decluttering is a significant task. To get started, consider the following approach:
It is thoroughly difficult to evacuate items that have been incorporated into the day-to-day existence. This is helpful when a parent’s possession become cumbersome and one needs to assist the aging parents to sort them. Begin by dividing items into two categories: core and frills There is a difference between core and frills which divides this service into necessities and/or desirable elements. Subtract everything that is necessary in the facility, whether it is structural, essential for ability or mandatory for daily functioning, to establish the square footage that can be dedicated to the would-be-fancy. If an item does not fit let them change their perception from ‘I should not let go of this’ to ‘I should be happy that someone else can use this.’
There is a compelling reason that it is difficult for an older individuals who has spent a lifetime amassing these items and receiving constant piles of bills, junk mail and magazines not to become physically, mentally or emotionally overwhelmed. A practical approach is a three-step declutter plan: recycling tins, they should be made to segregate the items they want to keep, items for donating and items for disposal.
Sometimes seniors need a little help from their clients to manage the clutter, and online training for caregivers can provide the necessary skills to offer this support effectively. Caregiver training programs also cover how care professionals can assist with daily activities and household tasks, ensuring that seniors can maintain a comfortable and clutter-free living environment.
Different families and living situations require different decluttering approaches. For sentimental keepsakes like clothes, dinnerware, or plants, consider taking pictures before donating them to people or places you know. For bulky practical items like furniture, tools, and electronics, consider raffling them off or discarding items not used in two years.
Take photos and videos of the family home “as-is” and document the stories behind items for future reference and generations. While people often have photos of events in their homes, they rarely document the “stuff” and the stories behind it. Create a scrapbook or photobook of treasured possessions, including stories about them. For videos, have clients narrate stories, with other family members joining in. Once everything is documented, it becomes easier to sell, give away, or dispose of items because the memories are preserved.
When helping an aging parent downsize, it’s crucial to be respectful of their possessions. Avoid dismissive comments like “Just get rid of this stuff” or “This is all junk.” These items represent a lifetime of memories. Focus on one room at a time and approach the task with gentleness, patience, and respect. Resources like caregiver training programs provide valuable insights on how to handle downsizing with sensitivity and respect.
Studies show that clutter can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. Cleaning and decluttering can help alleviate these feelings. Additionally, donating unwanted items to charitable organizations can provide tax benefits. You can also creatively donate or sell vintage items, such as to schools for theater productions. Keep what’s important and avoid suggesting throwing out priceless mementos, as people often realize they don’t miss items after a cleanout.
Reassure your clients that the goal is not to get rid of their favorite items but to keep the best and let go of the rest. Remind them that donating excess items can free up space in their home and benefit others in the community. Holding onto items that are no longer needed or loved can weigh them down while releasing these items can create a lighter, more relaxed living space.
Approach the project with empathy, understanding that losses accumulate with age. Highlighting the joy these items will bring to new owners can ease the pain of parting with possessions. Emphasize how the objects that brought joy will continue to do so for others.
Messy environment enhances the chances of the elderly people falling. One out each three seniors fall in the home according to CDC data. To reduce this risk, take steps to eliminate clutter:To reduce this risk, take steps to eliminate clutter:
Additional strategies can be imparted to caregivers and others through online training for dealing with the above challenges through skills in the care of seniors in a clutter-free and safe environment.
The Process Takes Time
Set aside 20 minutes to an hour for each decluttering session. Start with a specific area, such as a room, a bureau, or even a drawer. Sort your client’s belongings into labeled boxes or bags: keep, recycle, give away, and don’t know. Ask questions like “Is this a treasure?”, “Do you use it?” and “Will someone else benefit from it?” For items in the “don’t know” box, do a quick review together. If a decision can’t be made, place them in a “can’t decide” box. This process may require multiple sessions, but seeing progress over time can be motivating.
By setting aside regular time, categorizing belongings, and making respectful decisions, you can help your clients create a safer and more comfortable living environment. Remember to approach the process with empathy and patience, recognizing the sentimental value of their possessions. Seeing gradual progress can provide motivation to continue.
To ensure the best support for your clients, ensure caregivers are equipped with the necessary skills. Professional caregiver training through platforms like Learn2Care can enhance their ability to assist effectively, making the decluttering process smoother and more efficient for everyone involved.
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