Do you have too much clutter? It can be hard to maintain a neat and tidy home as we get older – some conditions, such as arthritis, can make it hard for us to move as much as we used to. This can cause us to be unable to do some of the tasks that help us maintain a happy lifestyle. Fear not, these tips and tricks for seniors can help you keep a happy, healthy, and clean home!
Decluttering and organizing your home is one way that can help with anxiety. Studies have shown that some people experience an increase in anxiety when they are in a messy home. If one is unable to maintain a clean household, then it’s possible they have high anxiety. Reducing the amount of clutter in your home can help ease stress and anxiety, and we’re here to make sure you have the tools you need to maintain your independence and live a clutter-free life.
Clutter and Anxiety
There is a correlation between anxiety and clutter. The more cluttered a person’s area is, the more anxiety they may have. Our brains are programmed in favor of order and organization – and a messy home is not usually neat and orderly. This can cause issues with focusing, and cause extreme feelings of overwhelm. These distractions can also cause a mental overload; so many things need to be done, but where can we start? Everything around a cluttered space is begging for attention, causing us to lose our focus. It’s important to know that one’s home doesn’t need to be spotless, but it’s important to have a nice clean space to relax and unwind, especially after a long day. These tips may seem like big things, but they can be broken down into smaller, bite-sized pieces if needed.
Start With One Single Room
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Decluttering is no different. Starting with just one room in the home is an easy way to prevent one from becoming overwhelmed with the chaos of having a messy home. This doesn’t mean we move things from one room to another, this means we do our best to find logical, reasonable spaces for things with easy access to them, if needed. If it’s too much to start with the whole room, try doing half a room or even just a small section of a room. Just clearing even the smallest space is enough to get started with less anxiety and more calmness. Spending just 5 minutes a day tidying up is enough to get started feeling less anxious and more calm.
Storage Options
There are so many storage options available! One of the best options for seniors is using clear containers for storage. This allows all items packed away to be seen, keeping confusion at bay. Using a computer to create labels for the totes or even writing labels in clear, legible handwriting also helps one to know what’s inside at a glance. This can help if clear containers aren’t available. Clear containers can also be used to store medications and other medical support items such as ointments, braces, powders, and others. They are easy to clean and can be reused over and over – saving money in the process.
Baskets are another wonderful option; various items such as throw blankets and pillows can just be thrown into them while still maintaining cleanliness. They are perfect for those that may not be able to always put things away neatly. One can just throw their items into the basket and forget about it for a while. There are so many varieties, so finding some to match your decor won’t be hard to find.
Shelves are for a lot more than knick-knacks! They are also a powerful tool in organization and storage! One can store their totes and some baskets on them. If your loved one has problems bending or reaching, keeping the shelves at waist height is a must. This allows them to maintain their independence while still keeping a clean space for themselves.
Get Rid of Duplicate Items
Duplicate items tend to accumulate as we get older. Sometimes we get something new, even if we already have something similar at home. A lot of us think to remove the old version to make way for the new one, but not everyone is keen to do this. Getting rid of duplicate items saves space and time. If your loved one has a preferred version of an item such as a mug, dish set, or even a potato masher, it’s important to keep those and get rid of any extras. As we age, other things start to accumulate as well, such as lotions, sunscreen, makeup, toiletries, and other things like washcloths, bedding, and towels. Taking the time to sort through all these duplicate items can help your loved one stay organized, and allows time for you to bond. When all the duplicate items are sorted, they can be donated or disposed of; whichever is preferred or needed.
Create a Donation System
Another option is setting aside items that aren’t used often and waiting for a certain period of time before donating them. This can allow one to see exactly how often they use a specific item. It’s important to agree on the timeframe for these items. Whether it’s a couple of weeks or a couple of months, seeing how often an item is worn, used, or otherwise can help one decide if donating it is appropriate. Donation is also a good option for clothing, and those duplicate items mentioned previously. Studies have shown that donating those used items can release endorphins and other feel-good chemicals, creating what is known as the “Helper’s High”. This can make it easier for your loved one to let certain items go. Knowing they will be used and loved by another person is sometimes enough to be able to let it go.
Other Tips
Organization doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes time and patience to make sure your senior’s home is perfectly adapted to their needs. This can take weeks, months, even years if there is enough clutter. Tools such as grabbers can help if your loved one has problems bending, along with our tip of keeping shelving at waist height. One can also hire a professional organizer that specializes in senior homes if they feel that the task is too overwhelming, if they need ideas, or if they just don’t know where to start. It’s important to check on your loved one as well to make sure the organization plan is working or needs to be adjusted. It’s an ongoing process and with help from family, your senior loved one will be able to maintain their independence for years to come.
Is your loved one needing a little more care regarding housekeeping and medication management, among other things? Our facility is designed to maintain independence (and organization!) while keeping a watchful eye on your loved one. Visit our website, or contact us here or at 804-373-CARE.