Make Your Apartment Safer With More Space

 

As people age, the realization of not owning a lot of unnecessary clutter and stuff becomes apparent. I know this because I have been downsizing for a number of years now. Other people are always talking about getting rid of their stuff. Stuff that you do not use often, if at all. The fact is that one day you might end up having to move to a smaller place and your stuff cannot go with you. If you are attached to certain items but know you will not use them again then there is no reason to keep them. I would rather see my things go to someone who really wants or needs them than to a landfill. 

Many older people might be moving into a senior community due to being disabled. If that is true, you really do not want to fill it up with clutter and things you will never use again. Just get rid of them. Living in an apartment you soon discover that free space is at a premium. If you fill it up then you have no room for things that may be more important some time in the future. Like walkers, wheelchairs, mobility power chairs or scooters, exercise equipment, large recliners, foot stools, tray tables, hospital beds, etc. I know the thought of that is the last thing you want on your mind but it is important to consider. If you live a long life it is a very real possibility. 

 

I have a large collections of knickknacks, framed photographs, little decorative items that take up space. Space which I need for the things I use daily. I need open spaces in my apartment due to my mobility issues with walking. I find in order to make things easier I need to get rid of more things now. Cluttered tables, shelves, floor space, dressers, etc. hinder you now. Things I said I would never do, I do now. I wanted an easier life and now I have it. I still need to make some changes. Changes to my apartment so it is easy to maintain and live in. 

Open space to use a walker or wheelchair is important!

Cleaning around clutter is time consuming. I do not have a lot of clutter as I got rid of so much stuff already. I cannot stand for long periods of time to be cleaning off shelves, dressers, tables or counters. This week I have started tackling this problem. Boxing up things I need to donate to someone who will use them. I have to do a job like this little by little. Otherwise I would be giving up on it and never make any progress. 

One area that I know from having taken care of others myself is that clutter that accumulates around your recliner or bed. That is because you spend a lot of time there and have the things you really use nearby. For me it is my glitter gel pens. I have many, many colors. That makes for a lot of pens around my recliner as I like to color in adult coloring books while I watch my television.

 

If you don't want to get rid of certain things, like the gel pens, organize them. Put them in something that will hold them but you can move them quickly if need be. I repurposed plastic food containers and glass jars to contain the gel pens according to color. Then the containers are in two large plastic containers that I bought meat in. This way I have them nearby but can pick them up and set them somewhere else easily. 

Copyright © 2021 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2021  Kathleen G. Lupole