How to Help Aging Parents De-clutter

As they say, life begins at 65; but if your parents aren’t careful of their surroundings, life can get pretty annoying real quick, especially if they end up falling or injuring themselves.

If this is a fear that you have, now might be the best time to start de-cluttering their home. But keep in mind, change can be difficult.
Your parents might not be open to any alterations to their home. They might accuse you of babying them. They may become defensive.
In this situation, it’s important that you deploy the right tactics, and introduce change in their environment slowly so they can adjust.

The Right Way of De-cluttering Your Parents’ Home

According to the World Health Organization, falls are the leading cause of unintentional fatalities, second only to traffic injuries. Of these deaths, the rate of morbidity is highest among people over the age of 65.
20–30% of people who fall suffer from injuries that include hip fractures, bruises, and even head trauma. Typically, the primary causes of falling are stumbling and tripping, with the main perpetrators being stairs, electrical cords, inappropriate lighting, loose rugs, bathtubs without handlebars, wet floors, restraints, bed rails, and general clutter.
Let’s start with that last one.

- Lay Out a Game Plan, Respectfully

There are times in your life when you  have to be the adult in the family. But your parents are still your parents. While you may need to take some major decisions for them, you can’t dictate their life.
However, since this needs to be done, start by discussing the change and the need for it in a very respectful way. Tell them that you won’t be removing anything that is meaningful to them, that you’ll take their input every step of the way—basically, just reassure them that you’re not robbing them of their agency.

- Be Smart When Selling Any Furniture

What might have been in vogue thirty years ago won’t fetch a pretty penny these days, unless you’re dealing with truly antique furniture. Instead of de-cluttering in a way that ends up in you hiring a storage facility for all the leftover stuff, consider donating the furniture to Goodwill. This will not only soften the blow of losing the furniture, but it’ll also help someone in need. A win-win!

- Don’t Give Away a Cherished Piece

You might not want your mom’s beloved china cabinet. But remember, this is a difficult time for your parents. They might feel like you’re being unusually cruel because you’re letting go of ‘everything’. But by taking a cherished piece with you, you’ll show them that you understand its relevance.

A Major Step toward Parental Safety

Now, let’s say you weren’t able to declutter much and you’re still worried about your parents. Instead of selling off everything in the house, discuss a move to an assisted living community.
A much better option if your parents have been feeling isolated because of their injuries, moving to a senior living community like AvantGarde Senior Living in Beverly Hills, CA would be the best step. They’ll be safe and taken care of, and you won’t have to worry at all.
Try the above options and have a respectful discussion with your parents. At the end of the day, their happiness and comfort are what matter most!

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