Spring Cleaning Tips for Seniors

As we journey through life, the concept of home transforms. For seniors, a home isn't just a place; its a treasure trove of memories, comfort, and love. Yet, as time passes, maintaining a home can become overwhelming. Clutter accumulates, and cherished belongings can start to feel burdensome. At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, we understand the emotional significance of a well-organized home. Our mission is to help seniors transform their houses into serene sanctuaries filled with love and order.Understanding the Emotional Impact of ClutterClutter doesn't just take up physical space; it occupies mental and emotional space too. For seniors, every item often holds a story or memory, making it difficult to let go. However, too much clutter can lead to stress, anxiety, and even safety hazards.The Weight of MemoriesEach item in a seniors home can be a trigger for a fond memory or a significant life event. While these memories are precious, the physical accumulation of items can create a cluttered and chaotic environment. This clutter can make everyday tasks challenging and diminish the sense of peace in the home. Our approach at A Call to Order is to handle these possessions with the utmost respect and care, ensuring that memories are preserved while creating a more manageable living space.Embracing Change with CompassionChange can be daunting, especially for seniors who may have lived in their homes for decades. The thought of parting with belongings can evoke feelings of loss. Our team is trained to provide compassionate support, helping seniors make decisions that honor their past while embracing the future. We encourage keeping items that truly bring joy and serve a purpose, and we help find meaningful ways to repurpose or donate the rest.Steps to Transform a House into a Loving HomeOrganizing a seniors home is about more than just tidying up; its about creating a space that nurtures well-being and happiness. Here are some steps we follow to achieve this transformation:1. Initial Consultation and PlanningEvery senior's situation is unique, and so are their needs. We begin with a thorough consultation to understand their lifestyle, preferences, and the challenges they face. This allows us to create a personalized plan that addresses their specific needs and goals.2. Sorting and DeclutteringThe sorting process is handled with sensitivity and patience. We work closely with seniors to identify items that hold sentimental value and those that can be let go. This step is crucial in creating a more open and navigable living space. For items that are no longer needed, we provide options for donation or repurposing, ensuring they find a new home where they can continue to bring joy.3. Organizing and Creating Functional SpacesOnce the decluttering is complete, we focus on organizing the remaining items in a way that enhances accessibility and functionality. This might include rearranging furniture, creating dedicated zones for activities, and ensuring that frequently used items are within easy reach. Our goal is to create a home environment that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.4. Personalized Touches and Memory PreservationIncorporating personal touches is key to making a house feel like home. We help seniors display cherished photographs, heirlooms, and mementos in a way that celebrates their life journey. This not only adds warmth to the home but also provides a daily source of joy and comfort.Maintaining the Love and OrderCreating an organized home is just the beginning. Maintaining this newfound order requires ongoing support and simple strategies. Here are some tips for seniors and their families:1. Regular Check-ins and AdjustmentsLife is dynamic, and needs can change over time. Regular check-ins and adjustments to the home environment ensure it continues to meet the seniors needs. This might involve seasonal decluttering, rearranging furniture for accessibility, or updating organizational systems.2. Encouraging Mindful LivingEncouraging seniors to adopt a mindful approach to their belongings can help prevent future clutter. This means being intentional about what comes into the home and regularly reassessing what is no longer needed.3. Utilizing Support NetworksFamily members, friends, and professional organizers can provide invaluable support in maintaining an organized home. Regular visits and assistance with chores can help seniors feel less overwhelmed and more connected.At A Call to Order Professional Organizers, our work goes beyond organizing spaces; its about enriching lives. We believe that every senior deserves a home filled with love, peace, and order. By transforming cluttered houses into serene sanctuaries, we help seniors rediscover the joy of living in a space that truly feels like home. With compassion, patience, and personalized care, we are here to support every step of this meaningful journey.

As the summer heat intensifies across the country, dehydration becomes a common and potentially dangerous concern. This condition can have severe implications, particularly for seniors who are more vulnerable due to several physiological factors. Seniors face unique challenges, especially when it comes to the impact of their medication on hydration. Why Are Seniors More Prone to Dehydration?Seniors are at an increased risk for dehydration for several reasons:     Reduced Thirst Signal: As people age, their bodies lose their ability to recognize thirst, making it harder to drink fluids.      Lower Body Water Volume: Older adults generally have a lower total volume of body water, meaning they have less fluid to lose before dehydration sets in.      Kidney Function Decline: Kidneys become less efficient at conserving water with age, further contributing to fluid loss.     Chronic Illnesses: Conditions such as diabetes can worsen the risk of dehydration since they affect the body's ability to control water. In addition to these factors, medication plays a significant role in influencing fluid balance in seniors.The Impact of Medication on DehydrationAs a clinical pharmacist, I've seen firsthand how medications can contribute to dehydration, especially in older adults. One of my clients, an active senior, nearly passed out while cycling in the summer. As it turned out, he was on a diuretic medication, commonly referred to as a "water pill." Diuretics are a class of drugs that increase urination, leading to reduced fluid levels in the body. These medications, often prescribed for conditions like hypertension and heart failure, can inadvertently lead to dehydration if fluid intake isn't carefully managed. Some commonly used diuretics include bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide, and furosemide (Lasix). But diuretics aren't the only medications that can cause dehydration. Other drugs like these can also affect your body's water balance.     Antihistamines: Often used for allergies, these can cause dry mouth and reduced fluid intake.     Blood Pressure Medications: Certain blood pressure medications can increase urine output.     Laxatives: They can cause fluid loss through increased bowel movements.     Chemotherapies: These treatments often lead to side effects like vomiting and diarrhea, contributing to dehydration.Managing Dehydration RisksIt's important to be aware of dehydration risks, particularly for those taking medications that impact fluid balance. Regardless of whether one feels thirsty, its important to drink water throughout the day. Staying alert to the signs of dehydrationsuch as increased thirst, dry mouth, dark urine, fatigue, and dizzinesscan also help address the issue early. These symptoms are early warning signs that the body may need more fluids.  Finally, anyone concerned about dehydration should consult a healthcare provider. They can adjust medication and advise seniors on managing fluid intake to prevent dehydration.   At Deeper Dive Horizons, one of my priorities is to guide you and your loved ones through the complexities of medication management to improve your well-being. With over 22 years of experience, my goal is to dive deeply into your health and ensure you maintain a balanced and healthy life, even in challenging conditions like extreme heat. Schedule a consultation today to get started 888-984-8895.

Here is your chance to live in a historically designated building two blocks from bustling Union Station.  Built in 1882, The Barth Hotel was originally a liquor warehouse, but it was soon converted into an upscale hotel. While the Barth Hotel Assisted Living is historic, it provides a home with tall ceilings, large and expansive windows, and beautiful features throughout the building Senior Housing Options (SHO) purchased the property in 1980 to help solve the problem of older adults being displaced in downtown Denver due to gentrification. SHO continues that mission today providing residential communities and caring services to enrich the lives of older adults in Colorado.  The Barth Hotel accepts Medicaid and private pay for a studio unit and is all-inclusive starting at just $4,000 a month.  All SHO Assisted Living properties provide three home cooked meals a day, snacks, medication administration, 24/7-person centered care, housekeeping and on-site maintenance and life enrichment activities that are included in the all-inclusive rate.  Call today for more information at 303- 534-7142 or plan to attend our open house on August 15, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at 1510 17th Street Denver, CO 80202. If a quiet, park-like setting is more to your liking, come visit our Park Hill Residence half a mile east of City Park near the Denver Zoo.  Park Hill Residence was converted from a convent and still possesses its original charm.  There are recently renovated rooms available with the same all-inclusive benefits listed above.  These quaint rooms start at $4,000, Medicaid and private pay accepted.  Another development at Park Hill is the addition of an Adult Day Program beginning Fall 2024 for people 60+ with dementia.  If you would like Information about living at Park Hill or the Adult Day Program, they can be reached at 303-993-5049. Cinnamon Park is our beautiful, assisted living community in Longmont.  Founded by a group of physicians in 1984, Cinnamon Park became a SHO community in 1992.  We currently have availability that includes the same benefits all our residents at SHO assisted living communities enjoy with unit rates beginning at $4,000.  Located in a beautiful residential neighborhood, they share the campus with our affordable living senior community and enjoy many shared activities. We also have open waitlists for many of our affordable housing units too, including hard-to-find two-bedroom units at September House or Decatur in Denver.  If interested, please contact our main number at 303-595-4464. Senior Housing Options is celebrating 45 years of following our vision to assure Colorados older adults live and thrive in a safe, caring community regardless of their financial means.  Please save the date to attend our anniversary celebration on Wednesday, October 16th from 6:00pm 8:00pm at the Space Gallery located in the Denver Arts District.  Industry experts have been invited to speak and a buffet dinner will be served.  More information to follow.  Sponsorship opportunities are available.  Please contact Christine at 303-523-3362 if interested. Senior Housing Options, Inc. (SHO) is a nonprofit organization that serves low- and moderate-income older adults and adults with disabling conditions. SHO is unique in that we provide affordable housing in both the assisted living and more independent settings to those who need it most. We are one of Colorados most long-standing nonprofits in the affordable housing sector, providing the best options for older adults and those with disabilities. Please visit SeniorHousingOptions.org and subscribe to our newsletter, to learn more and keep in touch our phone number is 303-595-4464 and email is info@SeniorHousingOptions.org.