Before they move into a senior living community, older adults need to prepare their current residence for sale. One of the biggest tasks associated with this undertaking is cleaning out the the home for its new inhabitants. Family members can help their loved ones with this activity to reduce the amount of stress related with the work and turn the process into an event filled with happy reminiscing and positive looks toward the future. Here are some tips for making sure cleaning out seniors' homes goes off without a hitch:
Allot enough time
If seniors have been living in their home for many years, there's a strong chance that they've amassed a large amount of items that will need to be packed away. Family members aiding in this process need to give themselves enough time to truly clean the home instead of working under a strict timeline. Not only do people have to decide which belongings to keep and which ones to get rid of, but the home itself needs to be spruced up – which may require additional tasks on the part of helping family members. Leaving the home where they've made so many memories can be difficult for seniors starting a new chapter in an assisted living community, so people should be sure to give their loved ones enough time to truly say goodbye to their house.
Take it one step at a time
Thinking about cleaning out an entire house can be overwhelming for everyone involved. By starting small, however, people can feel more productive in their endeavor, according to U.S. News and World Report. Areas like closets and cabinets enable family members to look at the progress they're continuing to make, keeping their motivation high. Working on an entire room can be disheartening, so loved ones should begin with places where they'll feel a stronger sense of accomplishment.
Eliminate clutter
Organizing a home for a move can be made that much more simple by looking out for items that are no longer of use to seniors. Family members can create boxes specifically marked for belongings worth keeping, donating, selling and throwing away. Good Housekeeping recommended the following:
Keep:
- Tax returns.
- Clothing.
- Family photos.
Donate/ Sell:
- Old clothes and bags.
- Old computers and electronics.
- Toys.
- Books.
- Rarely used small appliances.
- Old eyeglasses.
- Crafting supplies.
- Unused exercise equipment.
Throw away:
- Food past their expiration date.
- Outdated medicines.
- Bad canned food items.
- Flammable materials (dispose of properly).
Seniors could also recycle magazines and newspapers.
"Many families choose to keep belongings in a storage unit."
Think about a storage unit
There may not be enough room in a senior's new living quarters to bring all of the possessions from his or her old house. Family members should aid older adults in figuring out which items are most important and should be brought to the assisted living community, while storing others elsewhere. Although some people may safeguard these articles in their own houses, many choose to keep belongings in a storage unit, according to The Balance. Whether it's furniture or boxes of memorabilia, these lockers can keep possessions safe and sound.
Once their house is sold, older adults moving into a senior living community have to clean their homes. Family members who help with this process should utilize the aforementioned tips and tricks to ensure efficiency with the task. People are sure to recognize items they remember from their childhood or hear a story they never knew as loved ones go through the possessions they've collected over the years.
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