Self Storage Helping Elderly Relatives Downsize & Declutter
Self Storage for when loved ones are downsizing, going in to care or just urgently need to declutter.
One of the hardest challenges is when a transition time comes for parents or elderly relatives. The need for emotional sensitivities is as important as ever. Often a lifetime of collecting possessions may mean a home is simply too cluttered, but when downzising, moving on or otherwise you may well be faced with an extreme reluctance to declutter.
This is where self storage comes in, a half way point between disposal and your relatives knowing that their items are merely relocated for safe keeping. At Need A Space we have huge experience in space planning and assisting you with your storage requirements. We also offer Free Move In Vans for longer term bookings as well as introductions to removal services where needed.
Have you noticed your elderly relative’s home slowly becoming more and more cluttered? Throughout life some people tend to collect items, valuables or just plain old dust collectors. This can often be common within the elderly community, especially because they’ve had many years to build up a collection of items.
You may be considering moving your elderly parent into care home facility. Or you may just want to declutter their home prior to when that time does come or they downsize. This can be a difficult task to do, that’s why we’re providing you with some great decluttering tips to make it as easy and stress free as possible.
Why do elderly people hang on to their stuff?
Elderly people avoid tossing stuff out, giving stuff away or using self storage for many reasons. This could be because of; sentimental value, sense of loyalty, history and memories and loneliness. As well as not trusting others with their valuables and possessions.
For these reasons, helping your elderly relatives to declutter can be a very difficult and slow task. However, follow a few simple decluttering tips and you’ll have their house cleared in no time. With the knowledge that their items are not being disposed of but starting off in self storage can be a great reassurance.
Practical Help & Emotional Support For Relatives Decluttering.
Whether this is an enforced move, such as a move into care, or the need of space or downsizing, they may just need your practical help and emotional support.
Decluttering your relative’s home can be a very sensitive task to do. Simply throwing large amounts away is not usually the answer. Depending on how severe their hoarding issue may be, or the size of their collection of sentimental and valuable posessions. The task of sorting through stuff, throwing stuff out, boxing stuff up and giving stuff away can be time consuming and messy. The best decluttering tip is to take things step by step, slowly but surely.
When they are ready, don’t do anything at all until you have gone round their home just as it is and taken lots of photographs, and even a video of not only possessions but of things like how pictures are laid out on the walls. Those photographs will act as a lovely keepsake and it may ease your parents’ minds to know that all those special memories won’t fade to nothing.
Once they have mentally said farewell to all those keepsakes and possessions, then they maybe ready to declutter or move home. Knowing those possessions are safely in storage will remove anxiety and leave them reassured it is always there when they need to see things.
Plan Ahead & Fully Utilise Self Storage Resources.
Before getting started it’s best to come up with a plan. Where are you going to put everything? Are you going to throw it away or store it? Are you going to store it at another family members house? In this case, self storage would be your best option. Renting a self storage unit is not only an affordable solution, but also a convenient solution. This way you can avoid throwing out less possessions which will definitely keep your elderly relatives happy.
Furthermore, hiring a storage unit with a little more room than needed is highly regarded. This will be beneficial when the time comes to move your parent into a Care Home or downsizing, as you will already have storage space ready to go. Your relatives will also feel relief with Self Storage as they feel they have not had to part with possessions or burden anybody.
Choosing A Self Storage Facility.
Make a rough estimate of how much space you will need for storing possessions. Once you have a rough idea, start looking for self storage and what your best option would be. Consider things such as access, location, price and security.
At Need A Space, not only do we have many years experience, we offer easy access just off the A2 between Canterbury & Faversham, the latest high tech security systems, all units on the ground floor level as well as the lowest rates around.
Check out our previous blogs where we cover everything you need to know when choosing a storage provider, or see why Need A Space in Kent is such a popular choice. You’ll then be ready to begin decluttering once you’ve chosen your provider.
Where to start.
Organising and decluttering are both time consuming tasks. Set out a schedule of when and what you’ll begin sorting through first – start with the least sentimental items.
A great tip is to spread the task out over a few weeks with one or two cleaning sessions a week. This will help to ensure you don’t miss anything or throw out any valuables. As well as avoid overwhelming your elderly parent or relative.
Start the decluttering process.
As mentioned above, starting with the least sentimental items is a great decluttering tip. That way you can start throwing out unwanted items that are easier to part with. Start with items such as old towels, sheets and appliances. Then move onto items such as old clothing, tupperware and kitchenware.
After this, begin on the more sentimental items. Maybe even designate a space or room where you can pile the items up that will be kept and moved into storage. Once you’ve finished sorting through these items purchase some packing materials so you can prepare them for storage. Items like boxes, book cartons, sticky tape and bubble wrap will be essential packing materials.
Most importantly, ensure you label boxes prior to placing them in storage. This will make it easier when looking for items once they are stored, especially when using long term storage.
Move possessions into self storage.
Once you have everything packed correctly, it’s time to move their boxes and belongings into the chosen self storage unit. During this process, ensure you do everything you can to keep items in their best condition. As well as use the space as best as you can to get the most out of it. Make sure you stack boxes/items with the heaviest and more durable on the bottom. Then begin to add the lighter boxes. Avoid stacking boxes too high as this could cause them to be off balance and unstable.
Another important tip is to store your most important items in the easier access spots. This will help when you need to access certain things more often than others.
Finally The Freed Up Space.
Making the decision to declutter your relative’s home can be a difficult thing to do. However, in the long run they will appreciate it and it will make it easier when the time comes to relocate. To make the process stress free and simple, all you need to do is follow the decluttering tips provided. As well as ensure you choose your self storage options wisely.
Also, remember that donating unwanted things that are still of use to charity is a much better option than simply throwing away. Once you have your relative’s items into storage, time can be taken over working out which items are to be treasured and which items may be suitable for donating to a good cause.
Call us at Need A Space on 01227-751673 to arrange a site visit or have a discussion with us where we can advise and guide you with all your potential self storage requirements.
