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Newsletter Archives
December 2011
Fresh Start
November 2011
Organizing for a Flight
October 2011
Closet Organizing
September 2011
Organizing for Retirement
August 2011
Warning Signs of Disorganization
July 2011
Essential Organizing Tools
June 2011
Where Do I Start?
May 2011
Reclaim the Garage
April 2011
In Case of Emergency
March 2011
Organizing for Dementia
February 2011
Organizing for Guests
January 2011
Paper Overwhelm
December 2010
Top Ten Causes of Disorganization Revisited
November 2010
Just in Case…Organizing for Death
October 2010
Kitchen Organizing
September 2010
Photo Organizing
August 2010
It’s the Small Things
July 2010
Procrastination
June 2010
Expert Organizing Tips
May 2010
Tips from my Clients
April 2010
Tips for Setting Up a Garage Sale
March 2010
Unusual Ways to Organize
February 2010
Staging your Home for Sale
January 2010
Favorite Places to Buy Organizing Products
December 2009
Wrapping It Up
November 2009
Prepare the Pantry
October 2009
Costumes & Decorations
September 2009
Enough
August 2009
Help for the Home Office
July 2009
Getting Crafty
June 2009
A Better Bedroom
May 2009
Eco Organizing
April 2009
Getting Ready to Garden
March 2009
The Path To Clutter
February 2009
Easing Into Downsizing
January 2009
Organizing For Renovation
December 2008
Organizing For Next Year
November 2008
More Of My Favorite Organizing Tools
October 2008
Making Life Easier
September 2008
Clearing The Closet
August 2008
How To Let Go Of Stuff
July 2008
Managing Medical Records
June 2008
Road Trip Organizing
May 2008
Collections Instead of Clutter
April 2008
Getting Ready for Tax Time
March 2008
Where to Begin
February 2008
When You Want to Help
January 2008
Top Ten Causes of Disorganization
December 2007
Organize for Air Travel
November 2007
Organize for Small Spaces
October 2007
When Life Happens, Reorganize
September 2007
Bathroom Organizing
August 2007
Paper Organizing
July 2007
Uncluttered Kids' Rooms
June 2007
Top Ten Organizing Tools
May 2007
Grapple The Garage
April 2007
Managing Your Time
March 2007
Spring Organizing
February 2007
Help for Caregivers of Aging Parents
January 2007
National Get Organized Month
December 2006
Year End Organizing
November 2006
Give Thanks for Being Organized
October 2006
Holiday Kitchen Organization
September 2006
In Case of a Weather Emergency - Organize!
August 2006
Back to School Organizing
July 2006
Declare your Independence from Summer Clutter
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ORGANIZING TIPS OF THE MONTH: March 2011
Organizing for Dementia
Standard organizing techniques do not always apply to those with dementia. Methods that are in most cases logical and helpful may confuse and agitate someone with brain impairment. With care, organizing can keep the environment calm and support the daily needs of a dementia patient. A professional organizer specializing in seniors is a great resource.
- Start small: Change is often upsetting to someone with dementia. If you are trying to organize the primary bedroom, start small with goals of hygiene and safety rather than extensive purging.
- Keep the favorites: A significant downsize to a safer living arrangement means significant editing of possessions. Keep things which bring the fondest memories—photos, favorite chair, comfort items—even if they seem old, worn, and unimportant to you.
- Adjust to changes: The level of involvement by the patient depends on the level of impairment. Early in the disease, they may be actively engaged in the sorting and placement process. This will not be practical as the disease progresses.
- Take note: Take photos and make detailed notes to help remind you which items you have edited and their location in case there are questions later.
- Go for the greatest good: In advanced dementia cases, sometimes you will have to work behind the scenes to bring a home into compliance for safety or to accommodate a caregiver. Work with other family members or compassionate helpers to take the patient out of the home while you organize. Disturb the patient’s bedroom or favorite sitting area as little as possible.
- Choose the right time: Engage the patient in decision making during his most lucid time of day. The level of impairment may vary throughout the day. Sometimes a visit or outing may boost cognition.
- Whatever works: When organizing for someone with dementia, make “whatever works” your mantra. You may need to set out in easy view items for daily living such as a toothbrush, cereal bowl, or clothing. Tomorrow that technique may not work, and everything must be out of sight and handed to the patient as needed. Adaptation is key. A calm voice helps too.
- Protect yourself: Even if the patient has been fully on board with the organizing process, short term memory loss may cause sudden agitation about changes. If someone is aggressive, remove yourself from the situation and get help.
- Do get help: All caregivers need help. Caring and organizing for someone who has dementia is exhausting both physically and mentally. Contact http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers for additional resources.
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