You may already be familiar with decluttering and donating, having downsized at some point in your life, or simply by deciding that you had too much stuff. It feels good to get rid of excess clutter. It can be very therapeutic, in fact. But trying to convince your retirement-aged loved one to purge their home (and themselves) of excess possessions can be another story altogether. They’ve likely become very attached to their belongings and view many of them as prized possessions.
One way or another, you must convince them that downsizing is best. What’s more, by donating their former possessions to someone else, they’ll be helping another person or group. Particularly with the pandemic negatively affecting so many people and families, help is appreciated now more than ever. That may or may not give your loved one comfort, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind.
Let’s look at some items that can be donated, thereby helping you rid your home of unneeded stuff.
Phones
The average American, approximately every two years, buys a new phone. What happens to the old ones? There are a number of worthy organizations out there that would be happy to take your used electronics, such as cell phones, and sell them after any needed refurbishment. Frequently, these organizations give the proceeds to very worthwhile causes, if they don’t already donate the phones themselves to those in need.
Household Items
If you have household items for donation, organizations like the Salvation Army or Goodwill may pick them up. All you have to do is make an appointment and put them outside. There is also Habitat for Humanity Restores that accept building materials, furniture, household goods, gently used appliances, and more, from companies and individuals.
Eyeglasses and Hearing Aids
Maybe you got fancy new frames, or your prescription changed. Whatever the case, make sure those old glasses and/or frames don’t go in the garbage. There are organizations to which you can mail or drop off your used glasses.
Much on the same line, hearing aids can be donated. Not everyone can afford the hearing aid they need, so organizations such as hearingaiddonations.org accept used hearing aids and, if necessary, repair them.
Clothing and Accessories
When you get rid of office wear, your fancier duds, or casual wear, consignment shops/thrift stores are one option. But, through a simple online search, you’ll also be able to find organizations that collect clothing, accessories, footwear, and more to send to needy people throughout the world.
Books
There’s every chance that someone will be overjoyed to get a book you’ve already read, particularly if it’s in good condition. Some organizations collect books to send to military families, wounded warrior programs, and overseas/to the military. You can also donate them to thrift stores, hospitals, and more. Some neighborhoods have little boxes set up beside the road – they often look like little houses – that house books for the community to use/take as they wish.
Spring Mill Encourages Bringing a Couple of Most Beloved Pieces
Naturally, when your loved one moves into their new abode at Spring Mill Senior Living Community, they’ll want to bring a few of their most prized possessions – and well they should. Having their most cherished pieces within arm’s reach will help them adapt to their new surroundings. There is no need to get rid of absolutely everything they’ve ever owned throughout their lives. Help them go through all of their belongings to figure out which ones mean the most.
One of the most important things to remember when trying to attack a decluttering and donating project is to approach it with patience and empathy, yet firm dedication to the task at hand. Remind your loved ones that by going through their vast array of belongings, and whittling it down to just a few, they’ll be on the path to enjoying senior living at its finest – their new residence at Spring Mill.
