Ogdensburg New Jersey Self Storage | Mini Storage | Storage Units | AA1 Self Storage

Whether older adults are aging in place, downsizing, or moving into a care facility, climate-controlled self storage units can be enormously helpful. Worrying about “what to do with all the stuff” shouldn’t keep older adults from enacting their ideal plan for aging. Storage units can reduce the stress of doing a big cleanout in a short time frame and can be used to make life safer and more functional in a variety of situations.  

Aging in Place

According to the AARP, the majority of U.S. seniors plan to age in place in their own homes. Even without a big move on the horizon, those homes need to be evaluated and optimized to keep seniors safe and comfortable and there are several ways that Sussex County storage units can be helpful in this process.

Every year in the U.S., over 3 million older adults are treated in emergency rooms as a result of a fall. Here are some tips to keep seniors safer:

• Cluttered homes are more dangerous for seniors. Creating clear walking paths is essential, which may mean clearing out extraneous pieces of furniture. 
• Keep an eye out for cords and make sure there’s adequate lighting throughout the whole house. 
• Stairs have proven to be a factor in whether seniors age at home or decide to move. If at all possible, transitioning to one-level-living, perhaps by turning a little-used office into a bedroom, could be helpful. 
• Removing decorative objects that require frequent dusting or furniture that has to be moved in order to be fully cleaned. 

Taking care of a home will inevitably get harder as we age. Any changes, big or small, that reduce the clutter in the home should be considered.

Downsizing or Moving Into Care

Of course, aging in place plans don’t always work out. Additionally, many seniors opt for village-like senior living facilities. Whether downsizing to a smaller home or apartment or even into long-term care, storage can be an issue. 

Having personal objects around is important for all seniors transitioning into care. There are especially benefits for patients with memory loss who may particularly feel comforted by the presence of familiar household items. Additionally, many seniors have mementos that they’d like to pass down to children and grandchildren only after they’ve passed away, even if those items aren’t in everyday use. 

Care facilities often have very limited storage space. Out-of-season clothing and holiday decorations can be easily cycled in and out of storage units. There likely won’t be room for all of the home decorations and furnishings a senior would want to display or use as well. A well-organized storage unit essentially turns into a store full of your own possessions. Even just switching out small items such as pillows, tchotchkes, or wall hangings once a year will keep a smaller space feeling refreshed and personal. 

Moving is stressful in the best of circumstances but especially when transitioning to a higher level of care with little notice. A lifetime’s worth of possession shouldn’t be sorted under pressure. A Sparta storage unit can give seniors extra time to make these important decisions and lessen some of the anxiety that’s inevitable in such a move.