Organizing Your Loved One’s Home

By: Marlena Lopez | Tags: | Comments: 0 | February 15th, 2022

 

Maintain your loved one’s independence and comfort in their home by keeping them organized. Read the following tips to help organize their home.

 

• Keep items at waist height
  • Make bending a last resort for your loved one. The chances of hurting themselves by bending over and losing balance are less likely when they can reach things easily.
• Clear areas near stairs or stairwells
  • Keeping these areas well-lit will also assist your loved ones in preventing falls during the night. Using light-sensing night lights is an easy affordable fix for this!
• Hang storage on the walls for important items
  • Put these storage areas in strategic places around the house to help them remember where to put things, or to take them up the stairs. For example, placing these storage areas near the stairs or the front door can remind them to take things with them.
• Use rolling carts to transfer things around the house
  • The cart could help for stability when walking and easy transfer of items throughout the house
• Eliminate as much unnecessary furniture as possible
  • Integrate furniture into the house that can double as storage solutions.

 

**Pro Tip: Open spaces are ideal for your loved one to prevent falls**

 

• Keep all important documents in one place
  • This includes social security cards, passports, life insurance, will, power of attorney, and much more. Keep these documents locked in a secure area.
• Be sure to keep a medication list on your fridge
  • Leave a log of medicines, dosages, frequency of usage, doctor and doctor’s phone numbers. This can help in case of an emergency.
• Keep all valuables in a secure area under lock and key
  • Keeping these items out of sight, out of mind can help you and your items stay safe.
• Keep all bills in one folder in one area
  • An accordion folder works perfectly for this
• Ask for Help!
  • Don’t organize alone. It’s ok to ask a trusted friend or family member for help when organizing your home.

 

**Pro Tip: Helping a loved one organize the home can be taxing. Disposing of familiar or sentimental items can be difficult so be sure to listen to the needs of your loved one.