5 Reasons Older Adults Should Clear Out Their Clutter

After living in their homes for decades, many older adults have accumulated a large number of items. However, they may eventually sacrifice open spaces in their residences to make room for all of their personal effects. For various reasons, seniors should consider simplifying their spaces by removing the clutter. 

1. Prevent Falls

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, up to 25 percent of older adults experience falls. The injuries experienced as a result of falls range from minor bumps and bruises to fractures, and severe bleeding. The effects of a fall might also lead to premature death. 

Clearing interior home spaces is important to reduce the risk of falls. Older adults often have reduced vision and mobility, preventing them from safely navigating cluttered environments. 

2. Downsize

As children grow up and move away, parents are left with a lot of space they no longer need. Oftentimes, older adults decide to sell their homes and move in with loved ones or into retirement communities. Since their new homes usually have less square footage, seniors are resigned to reducing their number of possessions. Additionally, since their homes will probably be put on the market, reducing the amount of clutter makes the residences more presentable to prospective buyers.

If your parent is planning to move in with you, you may need the help of a professional caregiver, especially if serious health issues are involved. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Windermere, FL, Prestige Home Care Orlando can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.

3. Relieve Stress

Psychologists explain that clutter often causes anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues. A cluttered home overloads the brain with tactile, visual, and other sensory organ stimulation. 

Older adults living among an excess of belongings are often unable to relax or focus. They may experience guilt or embarrassment secondary to the sight of the interior surroundings. Seniors might become frustrated because they cannot find items among the clutter or they’re having increased difficulty when it comes to cleaning the house. For these reasons, removing as much of the accumulated clutter as possible enhances their emotional and mental health.

If you’re the caregiver for a loved one, you need to pay attention to your stress levels and emotional health as well. Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Prestige Home Care Orlando for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.

4. Discover Tax Deductions

Many seniors benefit from having a little extra money. By donating some of their belongings to charities or other individuals, they can lessen their tax burden by claiming deductions. Day care centers, homeless shelters, theater companies, and other community facilities are often in need of the many items older adults might want to consider relinquishing. 

5. Reduce Allergy Symptoms

Approximately 30 percent of older adults experience allergy symptoms. They might have chronic sinus complaints, upper respiratory issues, or asthma. Some may exhibit persistent skin rashes. 

The accumulation of items in the home provides more surfaces on which dust, dust mites, and pollen settle if they aren’t cleaned regularly. By ridding the environment of excess clutter, seniors may find their chronic irritations disappear. Along with symptomatic relief, older adults save time and money on medical treatments needed to alleviate their discomfort. 

We could probably all benefit from a bit of decluttering, but it’s even more beneficial for aging adults to clear the spaces in their homes. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Prestige Home Care Orlando, a leading provider of home care service Orlando families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at [hca_phone].