PREPARING FOR END-OF-LIFE Maybe you are thinking sure, my home is messy, but I like it a little messy and I don’t think there’s any need for me to do these things. Sounds like too much work, especially when I should be spending these years enjoying the rest of my life. Decluttering your home now can actually help make those years just as wonderful as you deserve them to be. It’ll put you in a better position for when moving around gets difficult, or if you or your spouse are beginning to have memory problems. And, if you are convinced about jumping head first into the decluttering fad, here are some things to keep in mind during the process.
> Make an inventory: As you are going through your
home, make a note of what items you are going to be keeping. This can be useful if you ever have home damage due to fire, natural disasters or burglary, as you will have a record of your possessions. However, it can also be useful for divvying up your possessions in your will. Keeping track will makes things easier to remember what all you have to pass on to your family.
> Stop losing items: If you or your loved one is suffering
room for what you need to live, downsizing when you have already decluttered your home makes the process less stressful. Moving is never easy, but not having to deal with excess will take a bit of the burden off your shoulders.
> Improve your home’s mobility: Many seniors begin to have mobility issues as they grow older. Having a clean home can make it safer for you to get up and around, as you will have less tripping hazards in your way, and it also clears the way for mobility improvements to be made on your home. Ramps, handrails and bathroom accommodations are all easier to install when you don’t have as much stuff laying around.
> Have a healthy environment: Along with everything
else, keeping your home clean can help prolong your life. Allergens tends to hide in unused items, plus it’s harder to keep a space clean of dust, dirt and germs if there are more things to clean. Bringing your possessions to the essentials will help keep your home a safe, clean environment.
Now, you’re all set to start your cleaning adventure. You might be dreading it, and no one would blame you, but once it’s over, you’ll be left with a beautiful, clean space to continue living your best years. Without the worry of all the clutter getting in your Downsizing: There may come a time when you decide way and while preserving the memories most important to you, decluttering can make your home your home is just too big for you. Whether you need to move due to mobility issues or because there’s too much the haven it’s supposed to be. from memory problems, keeping track of items may be difficult. By getting rid of excess items, you make it easier to find the things you use on a regular basis and by keeping something in the same spot, it’ll make it easier to find later on.
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SPRING 2019 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR SENIORS 25