Maybe you and your senior loved one have decided that they should move to assisted living. Or perhaps you’re just doing some housekeeping in their home. It can be challenging to part with items when you’ve had them for decades, even if you don’t use them anymore.
You’ll find this sentiment is one often held by older individuals as they go through their belongings. To assist a senior in sorting their material positions, try these tips:
Start with What They Need
In any moving or organizing situation, there are items the owner clearly needs. Have the older person make a list of all the things he or she can’t live without. Toiletries, bedding, a radio, and perhaps a set of heirloom china may make the list. Now, you can help the individual sort those items into a “keep” pile. Label everything so nothing accidentally gets donated or thrown out.
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Then Move to Wants
The senior may have a hard time parting with sentimental items. Depending on their size, it may be OK to keep some things even if the person is downsizing or moving into a memory care community. Small mementos like knickknack souvenirs and photographs should be kept as they can easily be transported and stored. Plus, they bring the older person joy and may even help them feel connected to the past if they have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
Seniors may feel better about letting go of material goods if the items are donated to a good cause.
Talk About Where Discarded Items Will Go
Your older loved one may feel better about getting rid of some items if they know they are not being thrown into the trash. Instead, create a few organizations that accept donations of items such as cutlery, clothing, pots, pans, and furniture. Also, consider letting family members take items the senior no longer wants. A college-age grandkid could probably use a couch or waffle iron, and the senior’s kids might love to have their golf set. Ensure the senior is ready to part with the items before people swoop to stake their claims.
Think Practically
Will the older individual need a swimsuit at their new home? If they plan to take trips to a local community center to try out water aerobics to ease aching arthritic joints, you will want to pack this item. If, however, the swimsuit’s been sitting in a drawer unused for several years, you should consider tossing it. Explain your practical mentality to the seniors so they see the logic in donating or throwing out some things.
Ask for Help
The older loved one may not be the only individual clinging to material items, thinking that getting rid of them would erase a memory of a beloved person. Because you have a relationship with the senior, you, too, may feel the tug to keep certain items.
“Throwing away an item doesn’t mean erasing a memory.”
In this case, look for outside help when going through the senior’s things. Many moving companies offer senior move managers assistance with this issue. They are also well-versed in what assisted living communities already have that an older person won’t need to take. If you’re unsure what items your loved one’s new living space will include, call the community and ask for a list of things to bring. Typically, clothing, toiletries, and souvenirs are all seniors will need to transition to their new space. You can add decorative elements, like curtains and a bedspread, to make the new apartment feel comfy and homey.
