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Downsize It - Organizing the Elderly

© Judy Brown

Downsizing for seniors before they move out of the family home is quite a big organizing project. It is, however, much easier to do it, before the elderly person dies than it is to be left to deal with the entire contents of a home with sixty years of stuff in it, after your parent dies. Then it is not only a big project, but because you are grieving, it can seem like an overwhelming project. I recommend that you encourage your parents to part with their excess 'stuff' and family treasures before they go. Let them give the things away to those they would really like to give them to, so they can have the enjoyment of seeing the pleasure those treasures will give to the new owner.

Many Baby Boomersers (BB's)are at the stage of life when the children are grown and they are retired, or nearing retirement. And finally, it is time to enjoy the fruits of all those years of hard work.

Time for the cruises, RVing around the country, not worrying about having to get home on a certain day, this is the time to enjoy life and take it easy.

But, many BB's are facing situations they may not have thought about when dreaming of retirement. More BB's are having to care for elderly parents.

In some cases, when a parent is suffering from an illness, early onset of dementia or Alzheimers, a nursing home may be the answer. Others are able to remain in their homes, but need someone to help them with housework and to keep in touch to make sure everything is okay on a daily basis.

No matter what the situation is, BB's are going to be more involved with caring for elderly parent's and this can be extremely stressful for all of you.

If your parent needs to move to a seniors home or a care facility, you may have to help downsize the family home and prepare it for sale or rent. From having several rooms of furniture, your parent may be going into a one-room situation.

So what do you do with the accumluation of several decades of furniture, clothing, and all the rest of what has got to go? Most of the time the elderly person is not very keen on parting with their home and their possessions.

You might suggest that your parent have a sale or auction and use the money to go on a big trip. Something really special with you, or one or more of your siblings. This takes quite a bit of talking up! Get some travel brochures and and get some excitement going. It will make it easier to get going on the downsizing.