Home indeed is where the heart is. That's why nearly 90% of seniors say they choose to age in their own homes. It's also why seniors would prefer to make changes to their own house rather than move into a facility that better meets their immediate needs.
Keeping your house tidy and organized is even more crucial to elders. The truth is that regulating your day-to-day activities is critical to aging in place. Food, medications, and cleaning supplies are all goods that elderly parents and loved ones want easy access to. It is especially true when older adults' physical limitations are present.
The benefits of being organized
Seniors – and the family members who love and assist them – need a great deal of organization. Living in a clean and tidy environment can help older adults:
Reduce their stress levels. Living in a dirty environment could increase stress, reduce productivity, and contribute to sadness and anxiety. The more organized your senior loved one's home is, the better they'll feel!
Enhance their health. Clutter can become a health threat as it accumulates. Falling or other mishaps may happen from time to time. Overloaded bookcases or tottering stacks of books can injure your senior loved one. Mountains of clutter can serve as a breeding ground for dust, mold, and bacteria. It can aggravate allergies and contribute to illnesses in your loved one.
Increase their level of independence. A busy atmosphere can be exhausting as well as harmful. You can enable the elders to live independently by assisting them in getting organized. A few minor adjustments can have a significant effect. For example, if everything they need is within easy reach, your loved one may be more eager to cook or work on art projects.
Make preparations for the future. Helping your loved ones organize their home can make it much simpler for them to adapt and adjust in the future. You are making it easier for them to ensure that all their belongings are in order.
Now is the time to declutter. Furthermore, you may have a sense of liberation and cleansing. Here are a few pointers on how to organize an older adult's home:
1. Remove any furniture off the walkways.
Have you ever stubbed your toe on a chair and wondered, "Where did THAT come from?"
So, older individuals move their furniture out of their way to avoid damage.
Moving chairs away from entrances avoids you or others from walking into them. Also, avoiding tables in your walking zone will protect you from stubbing your toes.
2. Items should be at waist height.
Your mobility may deteriorate as you become older. Consider keeping your stuff around waist height to make things more convenient. You can use shelves, filing cabinets, or tables to store goods. Not only will your back thank you if you don't have to bend to pick it up. But you'll also reduce your chances of losing your balance and tumbling forward.
Make sure desk drawer handles are comfortable to hold for seniors. Doing so is beneficial to those with arthritis or others with mobility concerns. If they are using a wheelchair, ensure everything is the right height. Be aware that you may need to replace your tables with one wheelchair accessible.
3. Maintain a light and airy atmosphere in your home.
Installing extra lighting can increase the visibility of your items and house. Whenever practical, we recommend using floor and table lamps. The extra lighting is especially beneficial for those experiencing eyesight problems.
Installing a nightlight in the bathroom and hallway may be helpful for some people. This is especially true if they get up during the night. You don't have to worry about it being too bright because it illuminates the path to the restroom.
4. Install storage solutions.
If you have souvenirs and photos on every surface in your living room, consider placing shelves to keep them off of usable surfaces. Not all your possessions may fit in your new storage unit. Consider which stuff you adore and want to preserve, as well as which you can let go of. Put something in storage if you don't have a place for it but aren't ready to get rid of it. Make sure you have enough table space for everyday use.
5. Keep your medicine cabinet clean regularly.
Seniors may be at risk from a medical cabinet with outdated prescriptions. If you or a loved one consumes an expired drug by accident, it could result in serious health complications. So, make sure you clean medicine cabinets regularly.
Throw away expired medicines. Ensure that the products you maintain are in their original containers and labeled.
6. Organize your shower to keep it safe.
Only keep bottles, soaps, and other goods in your shower that you use regularly and fit in the available area. Not only will this declutter the shower space, but it will also assist in preventing a slip and fall.
Consider installing a towel rack inside the tub to reduce the chance of slipping and falling. Also, toss out any old loofah that may have bacteria on them and replace them with easy to clean washcloths.
7. Use shelves to declutter.
Add shelves to their bedroom to keep things that would clutter their drawers and nightstands. Only save the most meaningful items you like using or seeing every day.
Final Word
Assisting an older person in becoming and remaining organized is easier said than done. Many senior citizens are averse to change in any form. Many seniors often keep things they don't need because they have sentimental attachments or feel they'll need them in the future. Physical objects might also be reassuring for some seniors coping with loneliness.
Keep in mind that the dual responsibilities of decluttering and reorganizing can be overwhelming on their own. It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help. A professional organizer can be an excellent resource in assisting you, and your loved ones determine what you have and where you have it. That way, you can deliberately and successfully organize it all.
