Both my mother and my oldest sister are in assisted living or nursing home. Both had apartments full of stuff. Neither will be coming back to live independently. Me and my two sisters are tasked with cleaning out their apartments. None of us have room to store it all, and don't want to pay monthly storage feed of almost $200 a month, yet we feel bad getting rid of their belongings while they are still alive. Both have dementia and cannot participate in decision making.
We have to have a decision on this soon as the apartments have to be cleaned out in a month. Is it ok to dispose of their things even though they are still alive?
Swap-out something from your own home and replace it with something from your Mom's or Sister's home. I swapped out some lamps. On my desk here I have a 70 year old pudding bowl that holds paperclips and donated the tin candy can I was using. I swapped-out a metal bookcase and replaced it with the one my Dad had built for me when I was child. You get the idea :)
Ever notice that we can put things away and forget all about it? So many things aren’t important but others can make good use of it.
If you are interested in trying to sell it, try eBay. If not, then donate it to a local thrift shop. I usually donate to the veterans group because they make it so convenient. They pick up tagged items from your porch. Look online because they will allow you to schedule the day you wish to donate it online. Very easy!
When we helped clean out my Aunts house, each person took a room. Clothes were boxed up and donated. My cousin got a dumpster and had to throw stuff that was 50 yrs old or more out. He had a tag sale. He allowed me to choose what I wanted and I still have the items. He allowed other family members too.
I know, overwhelming. Make piles, keep and trash. Then look at the keep pile again, do I really want to keep this? Then get rid of the trash. Goid luck.
Keep special mementos and share with your loved ones occasionally. Maybe choose a box that is easy to handle and store and when it is full that's all.
You must clean these apartments out and that is just the reality, no need to feel bad, even though it is hard it is the right thing to do.