Most people have a little clutter in their lives. However, when seniors live in tidy environments, it can boost their mental and physical health. Here are a few reasons it’s important for older adults to clear out their clutter.
Prevent Anxiety
Seniors tend to spend more time at home than their younger counterparts, so it’s essential that their living spaces are comfortable and well maintained. If the home is filled with piles of unused belongings, the living environment can become a source of stress. If seniors are embarrassed by the clutter but lack the physical stamina to clean it themselves, they might become anxious. Many older adults have difficulty with visual processing, and cluttered rooms can be challenging to visually analyze. As a result, aging adults are likely to feel uneasy in their own homes, which can lead to anxiety or depression.
Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional home care seniors can trust and rely on.
Stick to Healthy Foods
Some research suggests people in chaotic, cluttered environments are more likely to adopt unhealthy eating habits. Messy environments diminish the sense of control, and this can extend to dietary intake. For optimal health, seniors need to follow healthy, nutrient-rich diets. Older adults are more likely to stick to dietary regimens if their homes are as organized as their doctor-approved meal plans.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Harrisburg Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Avoid Mental Clutter
When people live in cluttered homes, they’re more likely to have cluttered minds. It’s difficult to think clearly when surrounded by too much visual stimulation, and this can result in several side effects. When the brain receives too much stimuli and the neural networks start to get clogged, the brain’s ability to process information slows down. Some research suggests mental clutter could lead to age-related memory loss. If seniors want to keep their cognitive abilities at maximum capacity, they need streamlined living spaces.
Increase Physical Safety
Clutter can have an impact on a senior’s physical safety. If the floor is littered with boxes, piles of clothing, or electrical cords, aging adults are more likely to slip and fall. One fall-related injury can have an enormous effect on a senior’s quality of life. Having an organized, clutter-free home is necessary for preventing injuries.
Keep Respiratory Issues at Bay
Clutter isn’t just an eyesore and a safety hazard. When piles of clutter go untouched for weeks, months, or years, they become a haven for dust and dust mites. For seniors with respiratory issues like asthma, excess dust can trigger their conditions. The longer the clutter sits untouched, the more challenging it is to get rid of the layers of dust.
Older adults who require assistance with decluttering and managing other daily tasks can benefit from professional in-home care. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Harrisburg home care service provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Harrisburg Home Care is here to help. Call us at (717) 200-7406 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.