5 Tips for Helping Your Senior Parent with Home Organization

Disorganized homes make it difficult for seniors to find what they need. Living in a disheveled environment generates unnecessary stress and places aging adults at higher risk for getting hurt, but organizing their homes can seem like a daunting task when they’ve accumulated a lot of items over the years. These five strategies can ease the strain on your family as you help your aging loved one create a more comfortable living space.

1. Eliminate Excess Clutter

People’s homes often get disorganized when they don’t know what to do with everything they own. Start by pulling out old clothes, magazines, and other materials your loved one might be ready to let go of now. He or she can feel good about donating items to people who need them and recycling what can be reused. Having less stuff makes it easier to figure out what to do with the things your loved one actually uses every day. If your parent is living with dementia, he or she may exhibit hoarding behavior, which can pose dangers to his or her health and safety. Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional dementia care. Winnipeg families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life.

2. Create a Plan for Paperwork

Piles of paper are commonly found in people’s homes, and all it takes is a well-planned filing system to fix this problem. Sort your loved one’s paperwork according to specific categories, such as receipts and bills. Then look to see if any of these could be eliminated through electronic communication or storage. If your loved one is technologically savvy, scanning paperwork eliminates the clutter completely. If not, create files your loved one can use to keep everything organized and off desks, tables, and floors.

3. Use Containers to Keep Similar Items Together

Small items can often be combined into a container so everything your loved one needs to complete a task is all in one place. For instance, sewing supplies can be placed in a basket or case. Hygiene products that are scattered all over the bathroom could be stored in plastic drawers or under-the-sink organizers. Pantry and cabinet organizers also keep these areas clean. A professional caregiver can help your loved one keep his or her home tidy and free of clutter. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of elder care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.

4. Reassess the System After a Few Weeks

A well-organized home is one your loved one can easily continue to use without allowing more clutter to build up. Once everything is set up, check in with your parent after a few weeks to see how everything is going. Ideally, he or she should feel comfortable using the new system, and you shouldn’t see large amounts of clutter building up.

5. Take Breaks & Offer Plenty of Help

Organizing a home with years of built-up clutter is exhausting, and your loved one may easily become overwhelmed at times. Make sure he or she has someone available to help on the days you can’t be there. Having caregivers nearby to remind them to take breaks and to offer assistance helps seniors stay well as they clean their homes. Your loved one may also find working alongside someone else turns organizing into a social activity that brings him or her joy.  If your loved one has difficulty keeping the home organized because of limited mobility or an age-related condition such as arthritis, consider hiring a home caregiver to help. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading Winnipeg homecare provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life. If your loved one needs assistance with the challenges of aging, reach out to one of our knowledgeable, compassionate Care Managers today at (204) 489-6000