Situation: Client was at the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. She kept notes hanging up everywhere so she could remember important information. The problem was that she had so much information hanging up that it turned from useful information to overwhelmingly visual clutter. She had not ever used file folders or her file cabinet for years and instead used the floor and counters for paper storage. I think her reasoning again was that being able to see all of her papers would help her remember what she needed to do.
Solution: We organized her paperwork, discarding the irrelevant papers and developed a file system for her children so that they could keep track of the important policies for their mom. After taking the important papers were safe, we left a few hanging paper reminders for mom. We also made her a desktop file system with the papers she needed so that she could still experience some sense of control.
Looks fabulous – how is the system working? And, if you don’t mind me asking, what sort of maintenance plan did you put in place as her Alzheimer’s progresses? I’ve run into this a few times and it’s a real struggle, as it can be with ADD clients.
I can see how you worked with her system and a neater one that let’s the client still have a sense of control. Nice job.
Thanks for the kudos. This is a very new project and we have yet to determine the long term results from this effort. Keep your fingers crossed as we observe what happens when, and if, the occupant returns to her home.
I facilitate a support group for people just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. For January I’d like to do a program on "Getting Organized". Do you have any tips, handouts, or ideas I could use? Thanks much, Julia
Hi Julia,
Feel free to go to my articles section and pull any tips you find useful. You can publish anything you like as long as you give me authorship credit and use this blurb:
Kathi Burns is a Board Certified Professional Organizer, Image Consultant and author of How to Master Your Muck.. Kathi has been featured nationwide in both print and on air media. Get your free report: 33 Tips to Master Your Muck when you visit https://addspacetoyourlife.com/ and request addSpace eTips.
Hi Kathy,
I LOVE your before and after photos, and I would like to forward them to some friends. You have made everything so easy and accessible — how about a “click here” to send to friends?
Cheri
Hi Cheri,
Thanks so much for the kudos!
You can send every article to your friends through many social networking sites including facebook, linkedin etc. Simply click on the link below each before / after (where the social media icons are located) and choose which way you want to send it. If you want to forward via email, simply cut and paste the url at the top of the page and paste it into an email to your friend. Social media however is the easiest way and it helps me build more followers!