What do I do? Where do I start?
Common questions for caregivers helping a loved one who needs long-term medical assistance. Often, this transition occurs as our parents get older.
But millions of others are unexpectedly thrust into the role of providing long-term care for a loved one due to car crashes and other unexpected accidents. The question of what to do with all their possessions can become a source of stress and confusion.
Just what do you do with all the “stuff” accumulated over the decades
First and foremost, focus on your loved one’s needs and wellbeing. Consider what environment will meet their physical and emotional needs. Many people move the victim into their house. Other people recall more assistance and may be moved into a long-term care facility.
There are many resources available to help you make the right decisions. Once you have found the right facility your next step is to figure out what to do with the rest of the “stuff”.
What goes in the “keep” pile?
This is dependent on the size of the new place and what items are already provided.
Your first step is to separate items into specific categories:
- Absolute essentials that stay with the victim – Keep the amount of space front and center. Limit it to items you know will absolutely be used.
- Sentimental gifts – These include special items the loved one would want to gift to someone else. Many people find it comforting to consider that their cherished items will continue to be loved. Each family member or friend can remove the items gifted to them or enlist a company that will pack and ship for you if the family member or friend is remote.
- Sell – Especially after a crash or serious accident, money can be tight for many people. Selling items that are not needed or you simply have no room to store can be a solution that might provide some financial relief. Consider hiring a company that will hold an estate sale for you. This way they take care of all the details and you don’t have to worry about them at all. Selling items yourself will take a lot of your time because, you have to have a place to keep the items until sold, and then you have to meet people for each individual sale. You definitely can hold your own “estate sale,” but it is very time-consuming.
- Donate – Remember that not every non-profit charitable organization will take everything, and not every non-profit will come to you and pick things up from your location. Many people don’t realize but the best junk removal companies have relationships with many non-profit organizations that may be able to re-use your items or re-sell your items.
- Discard – Now, you are left with what didn’t sell and what wouldn’t be picked up for donations.
This can feel like an overwhelming hurdle. Now What? Call a reputable, professional full service “junk removal” company to come to take the rest away for you.
A professional full-service junk removal company will treat you and your property and your situation with respect and integrity. You will be able to trust that they will “dispose” of your remaining items in a responsible way.
Best-in-class practices call for the junk removal company to recycle everything possible to keep it out of the landfill because they care about the environment. Be sure to ask if they have the right facility to sort and recycle.
You should not be charged for an estimate and should hold professional companies responsible for:
- Being on time
- Proper insurance
- Bringing the right equipment
- Having background-checked employees
- Cleaning up after the job is complete
- Leaving you with the peace of mind that you have done everything correctly and in a way, your loved one would approve
Brian Hennigan is the owner of JDog Junk Removal and Hauling, an American-owned and Veteran-operated full-service junk removal and hauling service located in Keller, Texas. JDog services the Northeast Tarrant area primarily but also serve some cities in Southern Denton County and Dallas County as well. They treat you and your situation and your property with Respect, Integrity, and Trust. We are here to help make your life easier at a difficult time. 817-992-0915 682-201-6021 bhennigan@jdog.com Jdognetarrantcounty.com
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