Clutter and Older Adults: A Problem and Safety Issues
Change and Transition, Closets, Clothes and Shoes, Inner Clutter: Consciousness Building and Self-Care, Safety and Security, Stress Management Add comments
Whether it’s because of hoarding, or just ignored, an older adult may not notice their stacks and piles at some point. But, these forgotten messes - of furniture and on furniture – on the floor, on chairs and couches, beds and overflowing, or never opened closets are a safety hazard for them, and for the possible firefighter is the house catches fire.
Plus, it keeps a person from enjoying life.
The longer people live, the more years of possessions they can gather around them.
We’re now in an aging country in the USA. In 2011, the first of the baby boom generation reached what used to be known as retirement age. And for the next 18 years, boomers will be turning 65 at a rate of about 8,000 a day. ~ AARP
How many areas of “stuff” that runneth over do you have, including up and down stairs, back sheds and garages that are filled with yesterday’s “I’ll deal with it later” piles and stacks?
As an organizer, I’ve been in plenty of homes with this problem. Some people are just stuck in it, others can start the process of moving and changing, but either way, it’s not easy.
JUST START
If this person is you,
- schedule time every day to start movement of those piles
- focus on one pile at a time
- do something with it, don’t “trance out” and walk away
- make a decision and make a difference with that pile
If you can’t do it yourself, that is, you “trance out” (a normal response to time, emotions, too much and overwhelm) and nothing happens for one more day, call family or friends, or a professional organizer to come help you.
YOU DESERVE A CHANGE
- You deserve to be stress-free from clutter.
- You deserve to be stress-free from disorganization.
- You deserve to live in a lovely, happy, spacious home, no matter what size it is.
- You deserve to have family and friends over to visit, play and enjoy your home too!
- You deserve to relax and enjoy your life.
LONELINESS AND LOSS
These two issues, culminating in grief and despression for many, can keep things stuck in our lives.
- Find a way to get out and meet new people.
- Clean up your space, even one or two main rooms, enough to have people over so that the lonliness can desolve.
HEALTH ISSUES
If your body hurts, won’t bend, or whatever health issue you may have that keeps you from caring or picking up your stuff, it might not get better soon.
- Ask for help: Invite family or friends over to help you (ask them not to judge or be rude to you!)
- Pay for help: Hire a professional organizer to help you get things done quickly
Dr. DeClutter Organizing Services - Available locally and to travel anywhere you are!
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