Moving To A Nursing Home: What Kind Of Clothing To Bring

Packing Up Mom or Dad's Clothing For A Long Term Residence (Nursing Home) 

How do you know what to bring to a Nursing home when you are moving a loved one from their family home to their new residence? I guess one might think that the answer depends on whether you live in a warm climate or a cold climate? On the contrary,  the answer is almost the same for a variety of climates because elderly frail patients or "residents" as we say, have their own thermostats which may defy the real world.

Dad Still Thought He Lived In Florida, But There Was Snow on The Ground

When I brought my dad up from Florida to the Northeast a few years earlier,  I needed to buy him a winter coat, boots and warmer clothing such as sweaters and flannel pajamas. But dad  had dementia and was convinced he was STILL living in Florida !  In his apartment, before he was moved to a Nursing home, he preferred to crank up the heat and dress in tropical clothing, a short sleeved golf shirt and Bermuda shorts. He had a closet filled with pastel colored summer clothing which he was very attached to. While I was wearing a scarf and several layers of clothing, dad was in beachwear.

Bringing Favorite Outfits to Nursing Home

When dad's dementia advanced further,  he was no longer able to dress himself or to "dress for success".  He needed help with his clothing and now dressed for comfort (jogging pants and a zip up light weight sweat suit jacket, worn out golf shirt).  I brought his favorite outfits to the Nursing home and relied on his aides to help him with dressing.

Do Need Boots in a Nursing Home?

As I packed him up for the Nursing home, I wondered if he would need a winter jacket in the Nursing home....after all where is he going?  Or did he need his boots, gloves?  I wasn't sure if he would be cold or hot in his new environment? Would he need pajamas or would he be wearing the Johnnie gowns you see in hospitals? You will see below my answers and tips on these questions.

 TIPS FOR WHAT TYPES OF CLOTHING TO BRING TO A NURSING HOME

1. Most Nursing homes are kept very warm.....so short sleeves or -shirts are fine.

2. Many older people are cold no matter what the temperature is so sweaters and light weight type jackets are needed.

3. Residents do leave the Nursing home to go to outside doctor appointments so you need jackets, boots etc on hand.

4. Clothes get soiled very easily so don't give everything away when you are making the transition.

5. Even couch potatoes who don't usually do very much in the way of activities or socializing may change their ways in the Nursing home environment and may want to dress up every now and then.


6. Loosely fitting clothing is often needed when medical conditions warrant catheters, IV's etc.

7. Be sure all clothing is labeled. You can use a permanent laundry marker. Or the facility may have a laundry department which places labels on clothing.

8. Unless you are willing to say goodbye to family heirlooms such as handmade or special blankets don't bring these items in because  frequent laundering may damage them.

9. Pajamas are personal preference, but Johnnie gowns are always available.

10,  Bring sneakers or safe shoes to the Nursing home.

11.  Keep extra clothing as back up in your home and bring in when needed.

12. Bring a gift of a new sweater or article of clothing every now and then.



 C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Helping Elderly Parents Decide What To Keep And What To Toss

Organizing Your Mom And Dad's Keepsakes Into Plastic Storage Boxes ...It's A Start

Plastics...plastics are on my mind again. This time I am thinking about plastic storage boxes and wondering how many older adults keep their keepsakes in plastic boxes?  If your mom or dad is in their eighties or nineties, chances are they are not storing their photos, documents, memorabilia etc. in plastic boxes. I picture shoe boxes, yellowed envelopes, wooden boxes, shopping bags, cardboard cartons etc.


Saving Fifty Years Of Bakery Receipts  

Recently, I relocated my dad from Florida to the Northeast. I am still airing out his damp and smelly file folders which seem to be casualties of poor climate control  (dad never used his air conditioner....in FLORIDA!

A friend of mine confided in me that her mom had saved  50-60 years of old bakery, drugstore and deli store receipts stored in old shoe boxes that were tied with saved bakery twine. These receipts which now could be considered ephemera are from shops long gone from neighborhoods which are now filled with young professionals who never heard of Rugelach or Mandelbrodt.

Rescuing Old Wedding Albums 

When dad's boxes were shipped up North, I unpacked loose wedding pictures that were missing their album cover and I wondered where the rest of the photos were ? It was fun to see my mother and dad so young at the same age in the photos as my children are now, but these photo album pages were fragile and I'm glad I rescued them in the nick of time.

Downsizing Mom And Dad

For those of you who are just beginning to help your parents downsize or relocate,  I have some tips to offer you to help you with this BIG job. My main advice is not to wait too long to start
organizing old stuff. If your parents are in their 80s, it time to think about the next chapter in their lives.

Start NOW: Buy Clear Plastic Storage Boxes In Different Sizes 

 Courtesy of  http://www.tpartyantiques.com/

Now is the time to buy some plastic storage boxes and to sort out family keepsakes deciding what needs to stay and what needs to go..... and where. Sooner or later,  your parents  photographs, souvenirs,  keepsakes etc. will find their way into your home or  to one of your siblings , children or relatives, so why not take control of the situation  on your terms? And it is great to be able to discuss this process with your parents while they can still communicate their wishes and concerns.

Besides buying clear storage boxes, I would suggest also buying an assortment of different sized     clear plastic storage bags with good slider seals.  They even make a giant freezer  bag which is great for storing very large photos. I would also buy a permanent marker (Sharpie)  that can write on plastic so you can label your boxes and bags with  categories, i.e. "Florida photos" as well as where  these organized containers or bags are going  "Steve's basement" or "Mom's new apartment".

Be Gentle With Mom And Dad's Memories: Use A Little Psychology

You may want to encourage your elderly parents  to let you hold onto most of the sentimental and  important papers and memorabilia and to ask them  to keep just a few items they are attached to. This part of the process works a lot easier when you reassure parents that you will indeed preserve the family keepsakes.

Most families hold onto photographs, but what about collections of  seemingly silly papers such as old bakery or grocery receipts? While it may seem  to you a simple matter to toss out old bakery receipts it is still difficult for parents to let go of memories. Try saving one receipt instead of boxes of clutter. The task of downsizing goes smoother when you use some psychology in the process.

And when you decide that indeed there are boxes of papers that need to be dumped.... it is best not to carry on about this task in front of your hoarding parents. Be gentle when "organizing" mementos...they may be junk to you, but they are keepsakes to your parents.

Getting Help From Grandchildren And Family Members
 
In theory it sounds like a good idea to  recruit grandchildren, siblings  and others when you are dividing mom and dad's collections of papers and momentos  into keepers and tossers. The thought of team work is a good one but it is also a fairy tale. Buy some rubber gloves, roll up your sleeves and start your Mitzvah (good deed) on your own. At least you know YOU will get the job done in an organized fashion.

Read more about Caring For Aging Parents  http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/search/label/Caring For Aging Parents

Photo Credits

http://www.rubylane.com/item/370999-5351/1940s-Wedding-Cake-Topper-Bride

 http://leslieland.com/2009/02/rugelach-to-the-rescue/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunnyDayVintage?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65275405/antique-leather-photo-album-civil-war



C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

What To Do With Your Parents Furniture When It's Not Too Old Or Collectible?

What To Do With Your Parent's Old Furniture?

I know you have heard this line before from elderly parents...."I gotta a lot of good stuff and it's worth something".  Oh boy, now this is a topic that needs some discussion. Let's take a visit to Miami,  Ft. Lauderdale, Delray Beach Florida (or other retirement spots  where a lot of our seniors migrated over the years. What do you do with mom and dad's furniture and collections when they are ready to change their residence and move into a smaller apartment, assisted living,  nursing home, return North or move closer to children?

How Do  You Know If Mom Or Dad's Furniture Is Valuable?

What do you do with rooms of old furniture that family does not want? Follow along here. If mom and or dad  are now frail and perhaps also struggling with dementia guess who now has to figure out how to unload decades of furniture and belongings.  While your parent's may still be able to insist that their furniture is "valuable"  you  (and your folks ) may be surprised to learn about  what is and what is not valuable. And if you thought you would just donate what's left after friends and relatives cherry picked the better things .. here is a wake up call.....even if you wanted to give it away.....it isn't that easy..SURPRISE

Vintage Mid Century Furniture Is Very Marketable

So how do you know if indeed you are sitting with some GOOD Stuff. Here is what I would like you to know. MID CENTURY is hot! If your parents still have couches, chairs, accessories from the 50s -60s you may be sitting with some great collectible pieces. But you need to be able to distinguish grandma  looking  things from desirable designs and manufacturers. I would suggest you spend some time online and take a look at reputable Mid Century Furniture dealers. Does what your parents have resemble what you see online ? Do they have Danish furniture? What condition is their furniture in?  Is their furniture stylish or boring?
Do some homework. Also visit my site http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/ and post photos for our community of members to discuss. Don't be bashful....we  like offering help.

You may also do well with Victorian and Art Deco styles.

Forget About Selling Parent's Furniture From the 80s 

Now if what your parents have is depressing 70s or heavy glass furniture from the 80s...you are in trouble. That type of furniture is hard to get rid of. But you can try calling some local used furniture dealers where they live as well as Goodwill, The Salvation Army etc. Note, these places only take furniture in good condition. You may actually have to pay someone to remove your furniture. Make sure you know ahead of time, what their terms are.

For more help on this topic visit: http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/search/label/Caring%20For%20%20Aging%20Parents



C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Packing Up Elderly Parents

Lessons Learned When Packing Up Aging Parents For a Move 

I started writing about caring for aging parents a few years ago when I was smack in the middle of these issues myself.  As the editor of I Antique Online.com, I receive many emails from adult children who want help in transitioning mom and or dad to a smaller apartment or Assisted will Living facility.

Letting Go Of Stuff

First let me begin by telling you that I made a lot of mistakes when it was my turn to move dad from Florida to New England (I'm smarter now).  Dad had a great deal of trouble letting go of his STUFF and insisted on bringing a lot of his "Asian inspired collectibles"  (all reproductions I found out) and decor with him.

What Would It Cost To Bring Along The Knick Knacks ?

Truthfully, I had no idea if any of the tchotchkes he wanted to bring to his new apartment had any significant monetary value. I knew he liked his Mud Men figurines and his giant ceramic tiger which sits on the floor and scares the daylights out of me, but how much of it did he need to bring?   And what would it cost to bring these knick knacks and living room decor with him?

Consulting With Movers, Shipping Services Etc.

After consulting with movers, senior care managers, shipping services etc., I decided  that since we were NOT bringing furniture and only smalls, we would use the local shipping service and  have his aide help with the packing. She would then bring the boxes to the neighborhood shipping service.

Sounds good right? Nope...it was a disaster. I assumed that my dad's aide would be able to pack up ceramic frogs,  Chinese bowls (inexpensive), figurines etc. and bring these boxes to the Post office. We had privately agreed that she was to pick out his favorite objects (with his say) and send only a few boxes (we were downsizing) to his new apartment.

Sneaking In Objects Into Boxes

She tried to be helpful,  but my father kept sneaking other objects into the boxes when she wasn't looking. Let me just say that my dad now has four staplers, an assortment of radio parts, broken tools, rocks, old telephones etc. in his new place.

Invest in Bubble Wrap And Sturdy Boxes 

As far as the packing is concerned, either she didn't know how to pack or my dad took over. Breakables were not carefully wrapped in bubble wrap. Boxes were  too loosely packed. Instead of receiving 6 well packed boxes, I received 12 flimsy boxes, poorly packed.  Half of the items came  broken (a blessing in disguise).

Moral of the story: Don't pack in front of a parent and use a professional packer if you can't do it yourself.  Consider using the U.S. Post Office.

For more information visit; http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/estatemavenshelpwithestateliquidation


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists