I have a small home and limited space as it is. My brother is in prison and it’s just good old yours truly. I have no need for her things. I’m going to have my boyfriend & his friends move her stuff out of her room and donate it to goodwill (except for our family pictures and stuff). I hope that doesn’t sound cruel.
We asked the facility if they wanted all her clothers (yes). You don't have to take her hygiene stuff, or disposable briefs -- they will be glad to have those back for others to use.
She had a tv that we gave to a grandson, and a cd player/radio. All other uniquely personal things (like photos) we took home. They may not want hanging artwork. Any medical equipment can be left at the facility. My MIL had a special wheelchair for people who could not sit up. It was paid for by Medicaid and I suppose we could have taken it and sold it (it was huge) but the facility was a faith-based non-profit so I know they would give it to some other resident in need.
Everything else we offered to other residents directly or donated to a thrift store.
Facebook is a good place to get rid of stuff. We have a local Freecycle group. You post and they pick up.
Be sure to save the photos and special momentoes.
I also saw flyers in the facility for someone who died and their family was selling and donating items from their room/apartment to those who wanted them.
We brought some items home and got a neighbor to help move a couple of heavy items.
I was approached by staff concerning donating depends for those who needed them. I was told privately by one of the staff that there was someone there whose son did not always provide incontinence briefs for his mom and she was usually in need of them. I happily donated them.
Another facility where we had family took donations for their second hand store, them proceeds from which went into their benevolent fund.
If you need the place cleaned, such as floors, carpets, walls, they can arrange that too and sometimes do it themselves. It costs money, but they can do this in a day or two versus your dealing with all of it for weeks or months. This is particularly helpful for landlords who must have a quick turnaround when one tenant leaves and the next needs a quick move-in.
When a parent leaves you with a lifetime collection of useless and unattractive stuff, you have no commitment to sweetly offer their Hummel figurines and collection of Mason jars to faraway relatives who don't want them either. If you're sentimental, take a picture of mom's teddy bear collection before you rehome it with the toddler who lives down the street.
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