Coming home to a pile of dirty clothes, dishes in the sink, and mail on the counter can be stressful for anyone, but it can disproportionately affect seniors negatively. Here are ways that clutter can worsen the effects of aging and how a home health care professional can help. 

The Effects of Clutter on Seniors

A messy home can detract from anyone's mental health, but in seniors, anxiety can be even more of a detriment as it can worsen other ailments they may have. If they are suffering from dementia, it can even cause worsening confusion. Anxiety due to messiness can also promote insomnia, which can make many symptoms worse.

If your parent has recently lost a loved one, having excess reminders of them around the house can make it harder for them to move forward in the grieving process. For an aging individual to have a cluttered home isn't just inconvenient; it can be dangerous. Aging people are more likely to experience devastating falls, and a cluttered home adds to the risks of falling or fire. 

How to Effectively Declutter

Decluttering can be overwhelming both physically and emotionally. When defining clutter and deciding what to keep, donate, or throw away, ask if the item serves a purpose now. If the item is broken with no hope of being fixed or too hard to manage and it is not something essential, it is clutter.

Do not be judgemental of what your parents may want to keep for sentimental reasons. Gently encourage them to let it go for the sake of their comfort and health, and if they cannot, then help them find a place to store it. If they realize there is no good place to store some of their sentimental items, they may decide to get rid of those on their own. Let them be in charge. Be there as emotional support or to physically help with tasks, but let them decide who gets what, where items should be donated, and how their home should be reorganized. 

If you need additional help, you may consider hiring a home health care aide who can assist in housekeeping tasks and minimizing risks throughout the home. Having a fresh, neutral person weighing in can persuade them and help them be safe while living independently. 

If you are considering a home health care professional for your parents, look to Family United Home Health Care in St. Louis, MO. Since 2014, they have been enabling seniors to age with dignity by providing a variety of home health care services. For more information, visit the website or call (314) 716- 3100 today.