Caregiver De-Clutters Senior Homes
Helping Seniors De-clutter their Lives with a Caregiver
Caregivers play such an essential role for seniors, and they can make a big difference in a senior’s well-being. This critical role is why caregivers need to be careful when helping seniors make their homes safe and clutter free. For many seniors stuff represents memories and control; not just the objects the rest of the world might see them as. Caregivers can help seniors get their homes clutter-free for safety, and also help them separate memories from the objects.
1. Start small – instead of getting frustrated about a senior’s unwillingness to let go of certain items; praise and be happy for some small purges. Even if all you’ve managed to do is go through old mail cluttering the kitchen counter, it’s a victory that should be rewarded!
2. Take baby steps – like starting small, taking baby steps can allow seniors to see how they feel when a few things have been given away. If they have too large of a collection of old clothing, donate just a few pieces. After a few weeks have past, find out how the senior feels. They’re likely to discover that the parting wasn’t as bad as they thought
3. Let them take control – the accumulation of clutter can be about control; whether it’s controlling memories of the past they feel they’ve lost, or simply remaining in control of certain aspects of their life at a time when there’s so much change. Allow them to decide how to get rid of things and which items to start with first. If they refuse overtime, tell them that if they don’t take control then you or someone else will have to
Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.
