10 Tips to Declutter the Home for a Downsized Move into Assisted Living

January 26, 2017 by ·

Assisted Living in Saraland AL

Moving into assisted living is going to force most seniors to downsize, at least to some degree. Depending on their current living situation, whether it’s a three-bedroom house or an apartment or Assisted-Living-in-Saraland-ALsome other environment, it may be a significant or relatively minor downsize.

Here are 10 simple tips that can help seniors and their family declutter a home and get ready for a move into assisted living.

Tip #1: Tag sales.

Schedule a tag sale. It may be the middle of winter, and perhaps this move to assisted living is going to take place in the next month or two, but a garage or tag sale can still take place in most regions across the country.

If the senior has a lot of physical support from family and friends, having a tag sale during winter isn’t as daunting as it may seem.

Tip #2: Give away things to friends.

The senior probably has a lot of items collected over the years, from tokens and mementos to cutlery, furniture, and so much more. They can give some of these items to family members and friends, especially those who will greatly appreciate them.

Tip #3: Donate.

There are plenty of nonprofit organizations all across the country looking for furniture, appliances, clothing, and other such items. These could benefit those who have very little.

Tip #4: Make it a family event.

Plan to get together as a family and go through the house and help the senior clean up and get ready for this move. You can plan a nice dinner or have some pizza in the afternoon.

Tip #5: A family reunion.

Instead of waiting for summer for a family reunion, make an impromptu one right now. Family can come from all over the country and that can be the distraction the senior needs to help him or her get through this difficult transition.

Tip #6: Start with the attic or basement.

Instead of starting in one of the bedrooms or the living room, start in an attic. When you begin going through items that person hasn’t seen or used in a long time, it becomes easier to get in the rhythm of letting go of various things.

Tip #7: Go slow.

Try not to rush the process. Going too quickly can cause extra stress and anxiety for the senior.

Tip #8: Don’t force the senior to give things up.

If the senior is reluctant to let go of certain things, even though you are fully aware they cannot go with them to this new environment, don’t force them; let them come to that realization. They will.

Tip #9: Create a mockup room to test out space.

Get the exact space of the room at assisted living and create a similar room inside the house. You can arrange furniture and get a layout of how things can be set up.

Tip #10: Start early.

This is something you don’t want to procrastinate on. Make sure you get off to a good start and the move to assisted living should go relatively smooth.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Saraland, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

 

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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