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Newsletter Archives
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: FEBRUARY 2008
When You Want to Help
If a loved one is physically impaired, it is natural for you to want to help make their living environment easier and more functional for them. This month’s tips are excerpts from my interview with Betsy Wade, speech pathologist. Contact me at Cheryl@organizeatlanta.com for more information.
- Get permission to help. Your loved one may have items in specific locations which they find most convenient, but may not seem logical to you. If you make changes, review together what you have done at the end of the task.
- If a person is visually impaired, do not change their environment without their working alongside you. They know where to automatically reach for items. In the name of clearing clutter, you may disrupt their living space and cause the person to have anxiety and confusion.
- Take advantage of bold color. Use color to define edges of stairs with paint or tape similar to what you see used in public buildings. Use dots of nail polish to match the correct setting on the toaster knob and darkness scale. Put circles of bright colors around the on/off, mute, and volume buttons of the remote control.
- Stabilize rugs, furniture, and cords. Use rug grip mats for area rugs and get rid of rugs which may pose a tripping hazard. Tuck cords against the wall and secure with tape or clamps. Make sure furniture pieces that may be used as a hand hold are quite sturdy. Move delicate pieces away from walkways.
- Use different sizes or colors of containers to organize similar items such as earrings. Gold earrings may go in a yellow container; pearls go in white.
- Mesh bags that usually hold soap slivers are great to hold full bars of soap on the soap dish. The mesh fabric offers a better grip. If the soap falls, it is more easily found and retrieved.
- Use free-standing toilet paper stands. The stands put the paper within easy reach, eliminating twisting toward a wall mounted holder. Do not use the toilet paper stand as a lift. Also follow the ADA mandate of placing the paper on the holder so the paper rolls over the top--it is easier to find the end.
- Install a sturdy handrail that is easy to grip near the entry door. Mark the step edges with friction tape or a paint stripe.
- Dedicate an easy access cupboard to the most frequently used items. The items may not be in the most logical place, but they will be in the most practical spot, which is an important concept to remember in being organized.
- Get rid of what is not used so what is left is a manageable amount. Encourage honesty about current lifestyle. If the person no longer hosts large dinner parties, they may want to get rid of big casserole dishes and platters. The same is true about former business attire or unused sports equipment. A home that holds just what the person uses and loves is a home which enhances the quality of life.
©All Sorted Out, 2008 All Rights Reserved
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