Helping a Senior Clean Out Their Home Before Entering an Assisted Living Facility

Due to a major family crisis, my brother and I needed to move our dad into a nursing home. This meant we had to empty out his house and get it ready for sale. The equity in the house was going to be the funds for the cost of his new home. Even though my mom and dad were pretty organized, even a full week was hardly enough time to sort through the "stuff" my parents had collected and housed over the 55 years of marriage they had.

You can start the process now and save yourself, your family, and your elderly loved one the stress, hassle, and any regrets over any lost family heirlooms! Things get thrown away, given away and sold. Sometimes in the rush things can disappear.

You may be wondering... OK, so how and where do I begin to start this endeavor and overwhelming task? Start with what is called a "preliminary sort"

1. You must all agree everything will be put into 5 "lists" - donate, sell, give (to friends or family that needs or wants), toss and keep.


2. The owner - and only the owner should be the ultimate decision maker or where each and everything goes. Even though this may make it more difficult for you, allowing the owner control of their possessions (if they are able) is the main key to success.


3. Decide and agree on an allotted time per room. Ideally no more than 60 minutes per room.


4. A rule that should be agreed upon is: An item can only be touched once before deciding which list it belongs on. If a decision can't be made at that moment, put it on the keep list. If they only get rid of one item in the beginning, at least it's a start somewhere.


5. Be sure to begin with a fairly "simple" room - one where it's not as cluttered such a "junk room"


6. Also make sure you all understand that even if you start early, the entire home can't be finished in a day. Even by being allowed up to an hour per room will not allow completion of this project in one day.

For a majority of people, this is an overwhelming job. Even as grueling as it is for your parent(s), it at times may be a lot more difficult for you! It can be very frustrating to be there and not have much say in what is kept, sold or given away. But please remember that their sense of control over this process is the key element to success. Having said that, you just being there for to cheer them on and for moral support, will keep them focused, on track and motivated.

Incidentally, it is said that "one's trash is another's treasure", you'll likely desire to be there just in case there is something they put in the donate, toss or sell piles that you've always wanted.