{"id":1649,"date":"2018-02-26T08:00:33","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T13:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aparadiseforparents.com\/?p=1649"},"modified":"2024-04-07T14:24:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-07T21:24:05","slug":"cleaning-out-an-elderly-parents-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aparadiseforparents.com\/cleaning-out-an-elderly-parents-house\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Cleaning Out A House (After An Assisted Living Move)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Growing old means facing certain changes in life that aren\u2019t so pleasurable. From physical decline due to chronic illnesses that come with age, cognitive decline because of Alzheimer\u2019s disease or another type of dementia, a spouse\u2019s passing, or even the need to move from your home into an assisted living home. It is never easy, but with proper preparation, your family and your elderly loved one can get through this smoothly. In addition to taking care of your loved one, there is also the daunting task of cleaning out an elderly parents house once they move out.<\/p>\n

Preparation is the key to making these life events a little more bearable. \u00a0No matter the location \u2013 whether they\u2019re on the next block or the next city \u2013 families all want the same thing: an easy transition from their home.<\/p>\n

When moving into a new residence, people of retirement age are generally downsizing \u2013 sending clothes to charities, getting rid of unused appliances \u2013 basically donate, sell, or throw away the things that aren\u2019t of use and no longer needed.<\/p>\n

However, downsizing can take a toll on your elderly loved one. Moving overwhelms people when they think of all the memorabilia they accumulated over the years. If your elderly loved one moves into an assisted living facility with less storage space, all the possessions the senior owns may become a barrier to moving into the facility.<\/p>\n

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Is Cleaning Out and Downsizing Necessary?<\/h2>\n

Cleaning out a parents house is not easy. It is not easy for anyone to just simply throw away the things they own, especially those that they have grown attached to or have sentimental value. It may honestly feel as if they are giving up on treasured memories.<\/p>\n

Your loved one has many years and a wealth of memories that surround their family and their home. After many, many years of residing in their homes, cleaning out an elderly parents house can cause emotional discomfort.<\/p>\n

If you feel like your elderly loved one refuses to give up their prized possessions, you are not alone. As a matter of fact, a study conducted by the Gerontology Center<\/a> at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, found out that among the 22,000 participants of the survey, 30% of seniors over the age of 70 had nothing they could give away over the past year, despite the fact that over half of them thought they owned too many belongings. 56% of people ages 50 to 59, as well as 62% from the ages 70 to 79, claimed that they own more than what they actually need<\/a>. it is usually the difficulty they feel with letting go of things that they view as a part of their identities \u2013 their past, memories, and possessions.<\/p>\n

Is There Such Thing As An Elderly Hoarding Disorder?<\/h2>\n

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There are some people who think that they do not have too much clutter to begin with \u2013 and it\u2019s not an easy task to convince them otherwise. If your elderly loved one\u2019s items are interfering with their everyday function and threatening their health, they are most likely suffering from elderly hoarding disorder. This can make cleaning your parents home a monumental task.<\/p>\n

If the person\u2019s clutter is extreme in the sense that the living space is unusable, unhygienic, or maybe even hazardous, along with the symptoms of self-neglect and withdrawal, your loved one may be experiencing Diogenes Syndrome or in other words, elderly hoarding disorder. This disorder is more common than you think. A study conducted by John Hopkins<\/a> in 2008 found out that 6.2% of people over the age of 55 show symptoms of the hoarding disorder.<\/p>\n

With regards to downsizing and cleaning out the house, it is best to talk to your elderly loved one about it. Surround your elderly loved one with family and friends. Or better yet, ask them to donate their excess belongings to the needy. This lets them know that they are a blessing to other people, rather than feeling shame and sadness.<\/p>\n

How to Clean Out Your Parents House<\/h2>\n

Moving your loved one into an assisted living facility is not an easy feat \u2013 emotionally and physically. Here are tips on how you can purge your elderly loved one\u2019s home prior to moving into a home:<\/p>\n

1. Divide the Physical Labor<\/h3>\n

Being the one responsible for everything has its own advantages. You don\u2019t have to wait for other people and do everything your way. However, along with these advantages, doing everything on your own can be physically taxing. And if truth be told, this job is massive. You will most likely need help along the way. Do not hesitate to ask for a hand from family members and close friends.<\/p>\n

2. Locate All Important Documents<\/h2>\n

Cleaning out a house means finding papers everywhere. Before you throw out any piece of paper, sift through the pile and find all the important documents:<\/p>\n