The Best Ways To Organize Your Home To Be Senior-Friendly

Aging in place provides dignity to your loved ones. Along with emotional health benefits, there are also serious economic advantages. Senior living options are costly, and finding the right place at the right price can be a difficult task. According to AARP, over 75% of seniors want to remain in their homes and communities as they get older. But whether you're moving your parents into an in-law suite at your home, or you just want to help them have a higher quality of life on their own, there are several ways you should organize things to be senior-friendly.

In her exclusive interview with House Digest, Maria Baer, Founder of The Baer Minimalist, said the most important thing to keep in mind is intentionality. "As we age, we have the luxury of being incredibly intentional about what we want to keep in our homes while blessing others with items that are no longer serving us," Baer said. Whether you're young or old, the best strategies for decluttering your home start by envisioning a clear goal, and evolve into a process of storing, donating, and recycling items. 

It's easier when you enlist some help. "As a professional organizer, when we organize homes for those who have downsized and are living out their retirement dreams, we focus on ease, safety, and accessibility," Baer suggested. "While we prioritize decluttering (or editing, as we affectionately call it) with all our clients, this concept has true power as we age."

"As we age, bending, reaching, or lifting can become more challenging, so daily use items should be kept within arm's reach," professional organizer Maria Baer told House Digest during her exclusive interview. She also said it's important to recognize that your loved one may be experiencing both visual and cognitive changes, so your approach to organization should adequately address them. "Clear labeling and color-coding can make a world of difference, helping to locate everyday items without confusion," she said. Baer said the Brother P-Touch PT-D410 Advanced Label Marker is her favorite one because it creates extra large labels, which makes them more readable. "Don't be shy about labeling even the most simple things (like light and fan switches), as it helps visitors understand your systems," she recommended.

Mobility is critical for seniors who want to maintain their independence as they age, making physical limitations one of the most important considerations. Seniors are at high risk for falls, which are the leading cause of injury death for people 65 and older. "Avoid sharp corners, slippery rugs, or anything that might cause falls," Baer warned. If it isn't practical or affordable for you to make your floors less slippery with different finishes, she recommends using non-slip mats. Thousands of Amazon customers rave about Rabenda's Non Slip Grippers, a reusable double-sided carpet tape that can help keep the corners of your rugs flat on hardwood floors or tiles, which may be ideal if your loved one uses a cane or walker that could easily get caught.

Once you've got the basics covered, it's time to start organizing smaller items for your senior. In her exclusive interview with House Digest, Maria Baer offered several tips and tricks. "Go vertical!" she said enthusiastically. "High shelves might be a challenge to reach, but they can be a great place to store less frequently used items." Family or friends can help when it's time to access holiday dishes, luggage, out-of-season clothes, old photo albums, or extra bedding that doesn't get used every day.

Baer also recommends over-the-door organizers as a vertical storage solution. "These are wonderful space savers for anything from shoes to cleaning supplies," she said. "They add organization within arm's reach without requiring extra shelf space." The organizing expert also recommends utilizing drawers to keep important items at your fingertips. "Drawer dividers are magical," Baer gushed. "Each item has a place, so when it's needed, it's easy to find." Nearly 50,000 Amazon customers have given Simple Houseware's Clear Window Pocket Organizer a five star rating, appreciating the sturdy pockets that are large enough to hold items like Poise pads or other personal care products in a bathroom.

Although there are differences between decluttering and organizing, Baer also told House Digest that both should be on your to-do list to keep a home senior-friendly. "A little goes a long way," she said. "Regularly sorting through things to get rid of what's no longer needed or used helps maintain a peaceful, functional environment."

When it comes to senior-friendly home organization, there are some other products that Maria Baer recommended during her exclusive interview with House Digest. "Containers that 'pop' open with a press are easy to handle and offer one less thing to worry about with stiff joints," she said. The expert recommends OXO Good Grips POP Containers, which come in a variety of sizes and sets on Amazon. She also recommends using other clear containers to help seniors see what they have on hand. "There are so many great options on the market," Baer said. The STAK Plastic Storage Bins from The Container Store are among her favorites.

Baer also suggests using products like the LADNEOO Non-Skid Lazy Susan from Amazon, which can fit into a kitchen cabinet, pantry, fridge, or under the sink. "Turntables can help make deep cabinets (or even the inside of your refrigerator) so much easier to work with," she explained. "Since they simply spin, you can access items without having to shuffle things around," Baer added. You may also want to make sure your senior has a long-handled grabber like the bestselling ZAYAD Reacher Arm Extension from Amazon. "Think of it as a tiny assistant that's always on call," Baer explained, adding that for hard-to-reach places, it can be a real life-saver for your favorite senior.

In addition to a lifetime of memories, many seniors also have a houseful of items that have accumulated over the decades. During her exclusive interview with House Digest, Maria Baer said medications, keys, wallets, personal hygiene items, and paperwork are the most important ones to keep organized. "When it comes to having a home that serves you (no matter your age), creating systems can make all the difference in your dependence and ease of life," she said. 

"Using a daily pill organizer with large, clearly marked compartments can help a person stay on top of their meds, avoiding confusion or missed doses," Baer suggested. "Things like toothpaste, a razor, and face wash should be easily accessible and stored in a way that makes them easy to grab," she said of other personal care items. Baer recommends dedicating one drawer in a bathroom to morning routine items, and another for a night time routine. She suggests dedicated spots not just for medication and hygiene items, but also for keys and wallets. 

You and your aging loved one should also be able to quickly find any important papers. "Medical records, insurance documents, and other important papers should be in a clearly labeled folder or file system," Baer advised. Especially in the event of a medical emergency or during the end-of-life stage, having current medication lists, advanced care directives, or financial documents can help you have a smooth transition and prevent unforeseen issues after inheriting a house. Baer recommends keeping a digital copy of any important paperwork somewhere safe. She recommends Trustworthy.