I have worked with seniors for several years. From my experience, organizing seniors is different. They are more likely to be the ones who want to downsize and get rid of their stuff. Some of them get stuck with their kids' stuff, too. Others are likely to have health issues, like bending, knee problems, walking up steps, etc... This post discusses organizing an older adult's home tips for a safe (Affiliate Link) place to retire in their own home. Read on and share with your family members. These tips are greatly useful for family caregivers and older adults to have easy access to everything they need in a secure place to live.
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- Raise stored items to waist height.
- Clear clutter from steps and add lights to dark areas, like near stairways.
- Hang baskets on walls near stairs.
- Buy sturdy rolling carts in the kitchen.
- Take as much as possible off the floors.
- UPDATE 2022: Check out their laundry process to ensure it is not difficult for them.
- Have all essential documents in one place.
- Keep a recent copy of the medication list posted on the kitchen refrigerator.
- Keep valuables in a hidden place altogether under lock and key.
- Keep all the bills in one place.
- Get helping hands from others.
- Create a "Who does What" list.
- Have a daily used items area in the kitchen.
- Additional Tips for organizing an older adult's home:
Here are helpful tips for organizing an older adult's home. Feel free to check the post out. How to Create a Safe Place for Your Senior Parent.
Raise stored items to waist height.
The first tip to help make your senior parent's home safer is to store items no lower than the upper thigh. Too much bending may be an issue. Take a look at the laundry baskets and other important things that would need a person to bend.
Clear clutter from steps and add lights to dark areas, like near stairways.
Adding railings, if only one, to the steps area helps, too. Below are examples of adding light to the steps. Here is an example of one from Amazon (Affiliate Link).com (affiliate).
Pick one that matches your room.
Chrome Grab Bar for Wall in Shower/Bathtub/Bathroom
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Please note that these are affiliate links through Amazon (Affiliate Link). At no additional cost, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Hang baskets on walls near stairs.
The next tip is to hang baskets on walls near stairs so they have a place to hold items and remember to bring them up the steps. Here is a great hanging basket from Amazon (Affiliate Link) that you can hang at the bottom and the top of the stairs:
Below are a few I found on Amazon.
Over the Door Hanging Basket, 3-Tier Woven Cotton Wall-Mounted Storage Hanging Baskets
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Wall Mount Key and Mail Holder
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Please note that these are affiliate links through Amazon (Affiliate Link). At no additional cost, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Buy sturdy rolling carts in the kitchen.
If they have a larger kitchen, buy a small, sturdy rolling cart (Affiliate Link) to help move stuff around without carrying it. Below are examples of ones I found on Amazon (Affiliate Link).com (affiliate). I liked it because the middle basket has sides.
Below are two options I found on Amazon.
Rolling Utility Cart with Drawer
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Foldable Rolling Cart, Folding Mobile Multi-Function Storage
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Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon, and at no additional cost, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Take as much as possible off the floors.
Remove furniture (Affiliate Link) no longer regularly used in the senior parent's home. The more space they have, the better. Have multipurpose items, like a table, that also store their documents. Below are some coffee tables that pop up for mealtime or a place to do bills. (affiliate ads from Amazon.com)
Look for a sturdy version of a lift-top coffee table.
Lift Top Coffee Table, Lift Coffee Table with Storage Shelf
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Please note that these are affiliate links through Amazon. If you click through and decide to make a purchase, I will earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost.
UPDATE 2022: Check out their laundry process to ensure it is not difficult for them.
The laundry can be tricky for older parents. Checking out their laundry process will help you see any fall hazards or issues they may have. Bending down to pick up laundry can be challenging for them. Try changing the laundry basket (Affiliate Link) so it is on a table or has wheels. Add a table near the washer and dryer so they do not need to bend when folding or placing laundry in the washer or dryer. Removable bags work well, too, so they can easily toss or drag the bags to other areas of the home.
Pick a laundry basket that is easily removable.
Laundry Basket 3-Bag Rectangular Sorter Basket
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Double Laundry Hamper with Lid
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Have all essential documents in one place.
In one secure and locked area in the home, have all important items, like passports, life insurance, will, power of attorney, S.S. cards, and account statements. See this image below or visit the post for 20 PERSONAL IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO KEEP SAFE. Visit our HOW TO ORGANIZE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS IN A FIREPROOF SAFE for a DIY way to organize these documents.
There are plenty of options for storing these items. If possible, look for fireproof things. There are also estate planning books where they can write the contact information and the documents' locations for easy access. Below are some I found on Amazon (affiliate).
Below are fireproof options.
Fireproof Safe Box with Key Lock
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Fireproof Document Box with Lock, File Organizer
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Please note that these are affiliate links through Amazon. At no additional cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Keep a recent copy of the medication list posted on the kitchen refrigerator.
A sheet protector works well to keep the items visible and will not get dirty. Here is an example of a medicine list. You can even add where these pills are located in the home, like the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.
You can also make a medication schedule that can be hung on the fridge or bathroom wall - wherever they take their medicine.
Below are some products they could use to manage their medicine. I found these on Amazon(affiliate):
Below are some options.
Pill Dispenser automatic with 28-Day Electronic Medication Organizer
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Pill Organizer - TabTime Timer, Electronic Pill Reminder
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PillMap Visual Pill Planner for Medication
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Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon, and at no additional cost, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Keep valuables in a hidden place altogether under lock and key.
Valuable items can easily be stolen if they are out in the open. If you have caregivers coming in and out, you can rest assured that their valuables are protected. Ensure that another family member knows where these items are in the home. You can also remove these items and place them in a bank safe (Affiliate Link) that you and your parent have access to often. Below are some examples of hidden safes you can use from Amazon.com (affiliate).
Below are just a few options.
Safe Hair Brush to Store Money
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Buy Now → (Affiliate Link)
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Keep all the bills in one place.
Use an accordion folder (Affiliate Link) that can stand with enough tabs (Affiliate Link) for you can write large words on it. One 13-tab accordion folder (Affiliate Link) works for any single older adult. Visit our what to keep in your bill-paying station checklist (Affiliate Link) below.
For peace of mind, setting up an autopay system is a good idea. Having extra money in the checking account will make you feel more at ease and help you not worry about unpaid bills. If you can not do autopay with some bills, try doing auto-pay through your bank's Bill Pay system.
If you still have to organize papers for the tax year, use a 13-tab accordion folder (Affiliate Link) with a cover so nothing falls out. Visit my post about how to create a well organized tax supporting paperwork accordion folder for easy tax season.
Below are some 13-tab accordion folders from Amazon (affiliate):
Below are two options.
Accordion File Organizer, 13 Pockets File Folders, Letter Size
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Accordion File Organizer, 13 Pockets File Folders, Letter Size with Colored Tabs
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Get helping hands from others.
Don't expect to do it yourself. It's OK to ask your other family members to help you remove the clutter. If they want the best for you, they will be happy to help.
Create a "Who does What" list.
This list of contacts should be for nonmedical purposes. It's for the children and extended family caregivers to know who deals with which part of the parent's affairs. Include the person's name, phone number, email address, and what they do for the parent. If there is more than one child, most likely, there will be tasks split between several children.
Have a daily used items area in the kitchen.
This area should include all the older adults' daily use items. The items can be placed in a clear bin labeled "items for today." Leaving these items on the counter or table helps remind them what to take. Some things that could be in this area are medicine, vitamins, reading glasses, pencils/pens, and a notepad. This area could be near the coffee table (Affiliate Link), kitchen table, or kitchen counter; pick an area where they can easily sit and do their daily tasks, especially if they have issues standing for an extended period.
A pillbox (Affiliate Link) is excellent for pills and can be stored in this area. However, someone will have to divide the pills up each week.
Here are two options depending on how they need to take their pills.
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Pill Organizer Arthritis Friendly, BPA Free Travel 7 Day Pill Box Case
Buy Now →(Affiliate Link)
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through and decide to make a purchase.
Additional Tips for organizing an older adult's home:
Starting slow when organizing an older adult's home, it is important not to overwhelm your parent or loved one.
Stuff could have been around for 30, 40, or 50 years. They may be attached to it because it is familiar, but it may not necessarily be helpful. Moving items into the garage (Affiliate Link) or basement in secure and safe (Affiliate Link) boxes (Affiliate Link) will get things out of the way and make the loved one feel like they are not losing anything.
Label every bin to help remind the senior what goes in the bin.
You can pack stuff away if they are uncomfortable with getting rid of anything. This is especially true if the elderly have many memorabilia they want to keep. In this case, you can store it in the garage (Affiliate Link) or attic space in a secured, labeled plastic bin for safekeeping.
Keep closets closed when not in use.
Keep in mind that closets can be a hazard for senior citizens, so examine these places while they are using them and then visit our post: THE ULTIMATE CLOSET ORGANIZATION TIPS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Make sure that when they are mobility-challenged, they have clear paths.
If the senior has mobility issues, consider where they would be throughout the day and ensure that the areas they would go throughout the house are safe (Affiliate Link). Have the elderly parents walk through their day with you or spend a day or two with them during the week to see where they go and what they are doing.
Visit the house often.
And lastly, make sure you visit the house periodically to help clean and organize the home, like during spring cleaning.
Visit our other posts on gently speaking with your parent on the difficult topic series.
TIPS TO HELP YOUR PARENTS WITH LEGAL DOCUMENTS
DISCUSSION TIPS TO HELP YOUR PARENTS WITH ONLINE ACCOUNTS
TIPS TO HELP YOUR PARENTS WITH PAPER MANAGEMENT
TALKING TIPS TO HELP YOUR PARENTS WITH MONEY MATTERS
TIPS TO HELP YOUR PARENTS DOWNSIZE THEIR STUFF
DISCUSSION TIPS TO HELP YOUR PARENTS DECIDE IF DOWNSIZING IS RIGHT FOR THEM
Getting the older adult's home organized will help everyone and give you peace of mind, not just the seniors living in the house. If family members know where things are, it will help a great deal if someone can not make it to do a task; it is easy to hand off the task to someone else who knows where things go.
I hope this helps you get your seniors organized in their homes. Now it is your turn.
What is your best time for organizing a senior's home? Please leave a comment below.
Here are some additional articles on Organizing Elderly People's homes to help you.
The ‘4 Boxes’ Approach to Helping Elderly Parents
jackie says
Any furniture that moves on rollers is a disaster waiting to happen. A person who is falling may grab onto it. Imagine the result.
jackie says
There should be tongs hanging on hooks at the right height person can use for for them to take and use to pick up what falls.
Julie Bestry says
These are all essential tips, but probably the most vital is the one about having updated medical/medicine information (including dosages) on the front of the fridge. First Responders know to look there, and it's key when health or anxiety prevents the individual or their partner from being able to provide clarity to the paramedics.
Diane N Quintana says
Great post with many helpful tips for working with seniors. I really loved the reminder of how to store things - no lower than thigh high and not higher than a shoulder. People forget that it may be difficult to reach up or bend down.
Seana Turner says
All of these are so good. Your suggestion about "visit the house often" really resonates, as things change quickly. I went to work with a client in an assisted living residence only to be told he wasn't there. They were not allowed to give me details, but even thought he might not be coming back. Fortunately, I found out later that he will be returning, but it was a reminder of how necessary it is to check in regularly!
Also, off the floor for sure - 100%!
Peggy says
Other helpful products robo vac, really helpful for keeping up floors and carpets. Steam mop, dries quickly not heavy most weigh less than 8 lbs. no cleaning products required. Gotham cook ware very easy to wash, little or no scubbing. Remote controlled power plugs, MagicFly brand will control up to 5 outlets comes with 2 remote controls. Useful for lamps, t.v. Removing small carpets that may cause tripping. Motion lights in bedroom and bathroom. Large labels for expiry dates on food & medications. Self sort laundry hampers, 3 in one, with rolling wheels. no need to sort clothes. A kitchen timer very useful for reminders. Find my phone or key devices, available on amazon can be used for wallets, keys purses. Use rubber gloves for removing pet hair from furniture. A filled in calendar with birth dates, senior discount days and medical appointments.
Tori says
I made a list of medicines with pictures of the pills by time of day she takes them; and in large print so my grandmother could do her own medicine in a weekly pill box. Anyone stopping by could check very quickly. We bought a clock that has large print and the date and day of the week and also a doorbell that flashes a light. Helps my grandmother stay independent at age 90.
Sabrina says
That's a great idea, Tori. That's a great service you did for your grandmother. It's so important for seniors to feel independent. Thanks for sharing.
Sandi Kubbs says
We went several thousand miles to visit a 93 yr old close male relative. We were shocked to see that the family nearby did not help him get or stay organized. He was very genuinely grateful for our help. He even gave us a monetary gift and a caring note. He had been living with cast off items underfoot, closets stuffed and unusable, dirty clothes under and behind the bed, spoiled food in the refrigerator and garage. But the family members nearby resented our efforts and did their best to undermine our relationship with him. Bad on them. It blesses me to be assured that helping him was not somehow inappropriate.
Sabrina says
Thanks for commenting, Sandi. Sorry to hear that his family was giving you issues. It's great that you were able to surpass their issues and remember what is important. Have a great day.
Beth Niebuhr says
I love this post. I've never seen one like it and it's so full of good tips for organizing an older senior's home. I think my favorite is the idea of hanging pretty baskets on walls near stairs.
William Rusho says
Thanks for sharing this. The sad part is I think I can use many of these tips, either they apply to everyone, or I am getting old.
Steve GuyFoodGuru says
Great tips!!! #6 brilliant!! Just put one in my Amazon shopping cart
andleeb says
These are very nice tips to help many. When we deal with senior citizen we get to know many new things that can bring comfort to them and save them from any extra problem or trouble and organizing in this way can help them remember their important stuff as well.
Thnak you.
Rose M Griffith says
Well said. Heck with the elderly, my husband has bad knees, so I'm game for taking on these tips right now!
Meredith @ The Palette Muse says
These are great! I love the rolling cart idea!
Kire Sdyor says
Going to have to start thinking about these things for my mother-in-law Smokey. I personally want a medication list but I want to be able to pick my own medications.
Tim says
Some of these tips, only when spelled out and put in a list, become obvious. Thanks.
Jacqueline Gum says
Great tips...most of which I have used when caring for my elderly mother-in-law and then my own mother. By helping them do this, it really does give them a feeling of empowerment and the hope that they can stay in their own homes.
Sabrina says
Thanks Jacqueline.
Autumn Leopold says
Brilliant post! I'm passing on to a friend of mine who just started a Senior Concierge business. Also wanted to mention you can become an affiliate for Lifein Case, the important document holder. I'm one! 🙂 Just go to http://lifeincase.com/ and tell them you are interested in being an affiliate.
Sabrina says
Thanks Autumn! I will check it out.