As seen in the Dayton Daily News on July 5, 2014.
Seniors get organized. Your safety depends on it.
Many older adults want to continue to be self-sufficient and remain living in their homes during their golden years. However, many seniors are living in unsafe conditions that may prevent them from getting to do so.
Getting your home organized is an important step to ensure that you can continue to live a safe, healthy and independent life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls each year. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries.
Many of these falls can be prevented by reducing the clutter you have in your home.
Start clearing the areas where you walk the most. Walkways, hallways and stairs should be free of clutter and well lit.
Continue through your home clearing the clutter from the rooms you use most often, to the ones you use the least.
Removing excess clutter from your home will make it easier to keep it clean. Reducing dust in your home can lessen allergies and other respiratory conditions.
Attack the storage areas such as the basement and attic. Many times these areas are great hiding places for insects and rodents. They also conceal maintenance issues such as leaks, which create conditions for mold and mildew to develop.
All the areas of your home should be accessible in the event of an emergency. Every second matters in a crisis. Make sure medical personnel can reach you quickly with all of their equipment.
If you organize while you are healthy, your loved ones will be able to take better care of you and your home if you require hospitalization in the future.
Having items stacked too high in your home is dangerous. Items piled high can fall on you, trapping you beneath. Nothing in your home is that important that you should take this risk.
As we age, our balance can become compromised. Keep items you use often in easy-to-reach locations. This reduces the necessity of using a step stool and possibly falling.
Review your medications and dispose of those that have expired or you no longer use. Excess medications increase the risk of accidental poisonings both for you and children who visit your home. Look for safe drug drop-off programs in your community.
Clear out expired foods from your cabinets, pantry and refrigerator. Eating unsafe food can cause illness, hospitalization and even death. Make room for foods that will keep you healthy.
As you organize, think about how you want to spend the rest of your life. Write down a few goals. You can focus on keeping the items that help you reach those goals, while creating a safe home.
Some of your goals may be to travel, spend more time with your grandkids, move to a smaller home, or take up a new hobby. When making decisions about your stuff, ask yourself, “Does this item help me reach my goals?” If it doesn’t, it could very well be keeping you from reaching them.
Get your home organized while you’re healthy and capable of making smart decisions. If you become ill or need to downsize in a hurry, having an organized home will make it easier for everyone to deal with.