SPRING-Clean Declutter - Need Help

[Smc]

@Former-MemberMy parents were below the income and assets limit where a bond was required. The house is getting run down, and is likely to only sell for land value. We're still under some time pressure to get it sorted and sold, because their other finances will run out in the foreseeable future, but we're very relieved that we didn't have to rush to sell it within a month of them entering aged care.

My Mum had a fall at their home that ended with her in hospital and Dad in respite care, literally the day after our daughter had been discharged from an emergency psych ward admission. They never went back home after that; Mum was discharged to a place in the aged care home that Dad had gone to for respite, and he was also made a permanent resident.

I've had more than one occasion when I've had to decide whether to go ahead with a planned trip to visit and "stuff sort" because our daughter has had an emergency level crisis just before the date. It is horrible sitting on the train, knowing that my parents need me to do this, and hoping our daughter will be safe. To have had the pressure of needing to immediately sell their house on top of everything else would have been impossible, so I'm extremely thankful that we haven't yet run out of that bit of breathing space.

[Owlunar]

Hi @Former-Member

Getting on dealing with your mother's voice is hard work - I understand - at least I never had a role in clearing up after my mother - her place was great really - but as my daughter was one of her executors she told me that there were ornaments everywhere - I know I could see her wall units and Queen Anne Cupboards were full of beautiful things but there was more and I wonder where

All of this process is painful - you are up to your ears with your parents' - Dad and his ways and your Mum - creative, skatty - whatever it will hurt - I was shut out of it and would have liked some of these ornaments but I only got a couple of things that I had given my oldies many years ago - 

Anyway - I about the family home and residential care - my parents still owned the house until my sister sold it after my mother died and my parents were both in residential care - 

Since my mother died means testing on assets changed radically and there were people who were bitten hard by that - I certainly was - and the bond for residential care is really high now - 

I have no idea what happens to people's money when they pay this massive bond and why would anyone want a bond that high? It concerns me - I feel happy with my own investments -  but My Aged Care is supposed to re-invest people's assets when they go into residental care - one of those things that I think is sneaky

My plan is to care for myself and keep out of residential care - and so far you are doing your best for your Dad -

And this is hard work for you - clearning and clearing the stuff - so what bugs your griping sibs is a puzzle to me because what you are doing is not easy

Keep plugging away Lapses - we all care about your here and as best as we can be we have your back

Dec

[Former-Member]

@Smc 

What's the "income assets" limit? to be exempt of a bond?  

So glad too u didnt have to rush to sell up for them too,  edprcially with your daughter unwell. Sheesh!  If it doesn't  rain it pours on life 😏

I couldn't do this place by myself, no tangible suppprts despite being one of x6. All have MH issues - not just me,  yeo severe. 

[Former-Member]

Was very pleased with the restraint I had when op shopping with my brother who is visiting from interstate. Ended up getting a coat for myself and a couple of other items to gift.  Have already picked out two things to give away in keeping with my new 'one thing in, two things out' policy which is in place until we are rid of the excess and enjoying the things we do have.

[Determined]

I am going to have a go at some more cleaning out now I am on study break @Former-Member

Starting with my office. Haha thats what I said last holidays so lets see if I can be any more effective this time around. 

[Smc]

@Former-MemberI don't know the exact figure in $$. If the person going into care is "eligible for assistance" then they have the option of paying a refundable (unused portion) lump sum, or paying a "daily accomodation contribution" which is paid via regular bills. My parents' comes out once a month. This page has an overview and a link to a calculator which will give you details of what needs to be paid. https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/costs/aged-care-homes-costs-explained/aged-care-homes-accommodation-costs

[Smc]

Whew... I'm done for the day. Wheelie bin outside is nearly full, recycling bin has a fair bit in it too, plus there's the pile of paper waste that the worms will get to eat. Laundry is almost completely cleared, but we need to take out the old and bring in the new washing machine through the sunroom next to it, so I think another solid day of sorting and culling will give us an "access path". It's stuff that has been left to accumulate for way too long, and has been too daunting to tackle, so it's good seeing progress at last.

One day when we get to fixing up this place... I want a proper sized laundry with a door that opens directly to the outside! Current one is a little square box, maybe 5-6 foot walls, and even the windows don't open. Room for the washing machine, washtrough and laundry basket, but that's about it.

[Former-Member]

Hi @Smc

How are you going clearing the pathway? When is new machine scheduled to arrive?

Am finding that I notice progress more when dealing with the visible clutter, ie the things not put away in cupboards. But what frustrates me more is the things stuffed haphazardly behind closed doors where they cannot be found.

Was able to hoist off a few things to my SIL who volunteers with a church care team that supports people doing it tough. She was on a short visit from interstate and I had not realised the opportunity that presented until the day before she left. I was miffed with myself as I could have off loaded heaps more than I did. 

[Smc]

@Former-Member, new machine is already here (a good condition second hand one) and sitting covered up on the trailer. I've had a couple of days off the task. It's a bit overwhelming. But the main thing I need to do now to make a path in is move aside a few bits of furniture that have arrived since we last needed to move a washing machine. Once I've got the old one out, I'll give the floor a good clean and see if I can find and block a few rodent access points. Hoping it's "in with the new" before the weekend's over. I need clean clothes for my next trip to see parents, so if it doesn't work out, we'll need to take one last load to the laundromat.

[Smc]

Ok... old is out. As suspected there's rodent entry/exit points behind where the washing machine was, so before new goes in, I'll need to thoroughly block those up with something non-chewable. Steel plated laundry, here I come!

Not much actually disposed of today (bin's full anyway), but a few things moved to more suitable locations. I've found a stockpile of shoes that were saved for the next kid along to "grow into", but since our older three are now adults and our youngest wears a fractionally larger shoe size than me, that's now a defunct effort. I'll pass on the good pairs to others, and salvage any decent condition shoelaces from the remainder.
Also have put all the old outgrown/no longer needed school uniform items I found in a basket to sell on or pass on to the primary school's uniform swap. There's a big stash of odd socks that need pairing, once I've culled out the outgrown or worn out ones. I'll be honest and confess that the worn ones go in the craft stash... they're great for patches on jumpers or other socks. (I'm currently wearing a pair of grey socks patched with the remains of another pair of grey socks, and a jumper patched with bits from some woollen tights. Mending is something I rather enjoy doing, and most jobs are small enough to be portable, so it happens on trains, in the car, in waiting rooms etc....)

Found a few Fowlers preserving jars, and a good big storage jar, so they're waiting for a wash out. Also found a couple of items of clothing that the owners will be happy to see again. Still looking for my favourite pair of knee high grey socks with snowflake patterns. They must be somewhere....