7 Simple Ways to Make your Home Easier & Safer

As fall approaches, it's a great time to make your home a little safer, simpler, and easier to manage. 

For older adults, decluttering isn't about having a tidy home. Too much "stuff" can create tripping hazards, make important items difficult to find, and make everyday tasks harder than they need to be.

A FEW SIMPLE CHANGES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

1. Clear Walkways First: Remove baskets, cords, small tables, and other items that could become tripping hazards.
2. Keep Everyday Items Within Easy Reach: Frequently used kitchen, bathroom, and household items should be ideally be between waist and shoulder height, reducing the need to bend, stretch, or use a step stool.
3. Use Clear, Easy-to-See Containers: Clear bins or open baskets make it easier to see what you have without digging through cabinets and closets.
4. Create a 'Home for Essentials': Designate one convenient place for keys, glasses, medications, mail, and other things you use every day.
5. Tackle One Small Area at a Time: A single drawer, shelf, or closet is much less overwhelming than trying to declutter an entire home at once 
6. Ask Yourself What You Really Use: If something hasn't been used in years, consider whether it should be kept, donated, given to family, sold, or discarded. 
7. Don't do the Heavy Lifting Yourself: Moving boxes, furniture, or items from high shelves is a good job for family members or professionals. 

Most importantly, you don't have to wait until you're ready to move! Decluttering now can make your home safer & more comfortable, and if you eventually decide to downsize, you'll already have a head start. 

At Elder Moves Real Estate, we help seniors and their families sort through the overwhelming process of preparing a longtime home for move or sale. Sometimes, the best first step is simply figuring out where to begin.