Do You Have A Parent Who Collects Things?

As your parents grow older, you want to make sure that they’re taken care of. If you only have one living parent, then one of your top priorities is to make sure that they have everything they need in order to be healthy and happy. At EZ Storage® in Philadelphia, we can help you find the right self-storage unit for any belongings and heirlooms that you want to move out of your parent’s home, but keep safe and sound until a future date.

However, what if your parent is a collector who has been compiling things for several years? The amount of belongings they have can seem overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can sort and store those items that mean the most to them.

Never Throwing Anything Away

Certain people can often be of the mindset that everything is useful, no matter how old or worn it is. Your mother or father may never throw anything away, thinking that there will come a time when they will need whatever the object is. They may collect materials that could prove useful on a future project, but if several years have passed and they still haven’t used the item (or items), then it’s probably a good idea to donate or toss the item. You can help them decide what is worth keeping and what is worth throwing away. This will pare down their collection and create less to go through in future years.

Keeping Valuable Items Safe

Your parent may have begun collecting items many decades ago, thinking that the collection would be valuable in the future. They may want to pass the items onto you or their grandchildren, and their first priority is to protect their collection. If the items are taking up too much space in their house or garage, or you’re worried about the safety of the collection, then putting everything in storage is often the best option. You can find an appropriately sized unit where each box is protected, and for fragile or sensitive materials, you can rent a climate-controlled space.

Setting Expectations

When going through your parent’s house with them, it’s important to be respectful of their belongings, and especially their collections. To them, each collection has been carefully curated, and to suggest that something isn’t worth keeping can be taken as saying their time wasn’t well spent. It’s good to set expectations about what you will sort through, and what will be left alone, at least until a later date. Ask them what they want to keep, and what would be good to take to a storage unit. Have them truly assess the worth and value of each item, and let them decide what the item’s fate will be. You may be surprised at how easily they let go of things, and how they determine what they want to hold onto for a few more years.

If you and your parent are going through some collections, and you need a suitable self-storage unit, then come to EZ Storage® today. We have four locations in the greater Philadelphia area, and each one is equipped to help you find the best options. Our staff members and resident managers are always ready to answer your questions, and once you rent a unit, you and your parent can visit it on any day of the year. This makes it easy to bring more boxes, or to take certain things home that you parent wants to have nearby.

Visit us today to find your storage solution. We will always work hard to make your experience as easy and as enjoyable as ever!