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If you find yourself having a harder time seeing things clearly, there are a few things you can do to ensure you're able to make your way around your home and find what you're looking for. As a general rule of thumb, your belongings should always be put back in the same place. This way, instead of having to look for what you're looking for, you know where to find it and can use your other senses to help you.
On the Floor
Move one piece of furniture or other item on the ground at a time and put it back in the same spot. This will help to prevent falls and stumbling over items. This includes pushing in chairs when you are done with them and putting away foot stools.
Keep shoes tucked away in shoe organizers or closets. It's best to keep the same shoe in the same shoe organizer so you are always able to find it.
Use reflective tape on uneven floor surfaces and steps to draw your attention to areas where you need to step more carefully.
On Countertops
Pick up one item at a time and clean it. Clean the countertop under and around where the item was sitting. Replace the item back in the same place and position it exactly as it was.
**This is especially important with medication or adaptive devices.** It's best to have a designated area for medications or other important items that you need to have easy access to.
Keep countertops clean by wiping them off with a clean cloth at least once a day. Remember, you can't see germs or bacteria, so it's a good idea to stay on top of it and keep your spaces clean.
With Clothing
It is helpful to have clothing folded and stored the same way each time. Not only does this help you find what you're looking for, but it will also help you get it on right if it's stored in the same way. You should have a laundry bin that's kept in the same place for dirty clothes as well.
Bringing in New Items
If you need to find a new place for a new item, think about where the best place would be for it to live. Take a moment to feel and even smell the item so that you can learn about what the item is like beyond what it looks like. This will help you practice using your other senses rather than just your sight. When you put the new item away, make a note (mental or on paper) of where the item is so that you can remember.
Do you have any other tips for keeping your belongings organized and accessible in your home? Share them with us!
This blog post was written by Anna B. Good. Anna attended Nursing School and learned how to facilitate Respiratory Training. She enjoys training people in how to breathe and live a good life while aging. She has taken classes in home design and is continually searching the web for information on how people manage in the face of life changing events. She has always been interested in helping others help themselves. Now that she has some problems of her own, she likes to share ways that she’s found to get around some of them. One of her favorite mottos is, "Where there’s a will, there’s a way."
Please note that if you purchase any of the products in this article using the links provided, the Walla Walla Senior Center may earn a small commission. All proceeds go right back into the Senior Center and allow us to provide services, free of charge, to older adults in the Walla Walla Valley. Thank You!
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