What Exactly Is It For? What Are You Waiting For?

A lot of times when we look at a home that has been lived in for four decades, and see lots of clutter and possessions, we look at the wife, the female who leads the family. Because, after all, isn’t the house traditionally her domain? Well, maybe yes – and maybe no.

Everyone who lives in a home has equal influence on it, don’t you think? I mean if you look at my garage and basement, you can see that my kids haven’t completely moved out – after a couple of decades themselves!

So, rather than cast blame, let’s just see what can be done at Mom and Dad’s house. This doesn’t have to wait until they are ready to downsize or make a move, either. Seniors who want to age in place also need to have a home that is functional and safe.

Here are a few tips:

• Garage – Dispose of easiest things first like broken VCRs and old paint. Then move on section by section. Build in storage that hides clutter and packrat tendencies. A utility sink and workbenches are good additions.
• Closets – Commit to reducing wardrobe by half or eliminating everything that hasn’t been worn in three years.
• Kitchen and Bathrooms – Purge drawers of duplicate gadgets and products. Get rid of appliances and dishes that are unnecessary. Use the “good stuff” whether it’s the china or the special bath bombs. What are you waiting for?
• Collections – Edit them down, keeping only those items that are your favorites. Consider photographing a collection before donating or selling it to save the memories.
• Hobbies – Hobbies have a tendency to balloon with materials and tools – especially things like crafting, woodworking and models or sewing. All of a sudden you have 45 different bottles of paint or 100 spools of thread. And crafting, well, we don’t even have to open that box to know it’s full of the same kind of thing in three other boxes. Get rid of it or use it. Enough said.
• Paper – Oh my, this is the downfall of so many of us! Ask yourself why you have to keep a document. If they have no tax or legal implications tied to them, get rid of it. A special note: All papers with personal information INCLUDING YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS should be shredded. There are many disposal sites available, just Google “paper shredding” to find some near you.
• Linens – Just how many towels, rugs, blankets, throws, sets of sheets, and placemats do you need? It’s time for those threadbare things to go away. Use the soft, fluffy towels and nice sheets. Linens are frequently needed by homeless shelters and even pet shelters. Find some near you and give those unused linens a life and purpose – outside your house.

Clearing out excess and clutter is often an energizing and uplifting experience. It’s like the weight of every box going out the door is lifted off your shoulders. There may be certain things that represent a part of your life and can feel like you are giving away a part of yourself or your life. Take a picture, make a memory box if you have to, but the memories are inside you, not in that object. Chances are after you are gone, no one else will know or see the attachment you had to it.

If there are things you think you want to “hand down,” get the kids around and ask if they want it. I still have my Mom’s dining room table and chairs. I love the maple wood. I still have several afghans she crocheted, but they are stuck way back in a closet – not my style, and definitely not my colors.  Can’t see my children clamoring for them, either, so why am I keeping them?

Stuff is just that, stuff. We want to spend time and make new memories with family, not continually pore over the past. Clear out and de-clutter together and then get busy.

Here at Keeping In Touch Solutions we hear often that getting rid of old stuff cleared the way for new and more exciting life – maybe even a few new things that will one day be “stuff.” But at least there’s room for the new.

Give Mom and Dad things to look forward to every day. It might be a special meal out, an activity with friends, or a daily check-in call from a Keeping In Touch Solutions Care Caller.

Make the future lighter, brighter – and happier for everyone!
A daily check-in call could be the lifeline, the joy you give someone that makes the biggest difference in their perception of what old age is like.

Contact me at 317-480-1038 today. Let’s make a difference together.

I’m Diana Beam, Founder of Keeping in Touch Solutions. It is my heartfelt desire for every person to live a happy and healthy life in the place they call home, no matter what their age. You can’t put a price on peace of mind for your parents and yourself. It’s priceless . . . and significant.

For that reason, the goal of every Keeping In Touch Solutions program is to provide a caring connection and service that both the elderly and their caregivers can rely on to make living that good life easier.