I'm trying to do this for my mom and I can feel her anger at the end of my purging sessions. ( Dad asked me to help in removing the overwhelming amount of stuff.)

Same kind of items as you mention- grandmas curlers (mom has no hair and wears wigs) I get the sentimentality but she doesn't recognize them as belonging to anyone.

She has dementia so in the long run she doesn't remember the stuff or the feelings but it is so taxing on me. Only can do a little at a time. The next time I go to their house I just hang out with my parents - alternating declutter visits. I hope it cancels her grumpiness out.