Successful Environment
“We should be choosing what we keep - not what we get rid of.”
Marie Kondo, Professional Organizer.
With thoughtful setup your environment could help you.
This may be an ordinary countertop found in any home. You find some items for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cup of tea, and a couple different snacks.
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There is a cutting board and soap for washing up.
With a bit of decluttering and grouping, this changes into a manageable area. This is what is meant by making your environment helpful to you.
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All the items for making a sandwich are grouped together such as the bread, peanut butter, then jelly with an easy lid for opening and even a butter knife.
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All the items for making a cup of tea are together. The large bottle of honey is replaced by two honey spoons, and the canister of tea leaves is replaced with tea bags. A cup is next to the ingredients.
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The bowl of tomatoes is smaller, only one banana, and a bag of mixed nuts and dried fruit.
You want your loved one to find food easily and eat often, however if appetite is decreasing then smaller amounts of food are less likely to be overwhelming.
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The cutting board here is of a plain and contrasting color to the countertop which is easier to see.
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The dish soap has been removed and only hand soap left on the counter so there is no confusion as which one is to be used to wash up with.
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Antenna for the radio is also taped up out of the way.
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As needed you can reduce the items to one group at a time to assist in helping your loved one remain as independent as possible as long as possible.
Use what you have and some of what is familiar to create Life Stations. Here are some examples of items that could belong on a desk:
