Breaking Point Presentation and Shredding Event

Experts say that seniors who don't know how to part with their possessions are vulnerable. The risks include slipping on loose papers, a very real threat of fire, and serious health conditions arising from the effects of mold and mildew. In this Podcast, Christine Till, from Home Instead Senior Care, Port Coquitlam, BC is being interviewed by Shoneugh Edwards, of Belvedere Care Centre, Coquitlam, BC. The discussion is on the upcoming Breaking Point Presentation at Wilson Centre, Port Coquitlam, BC on September 15th from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Research shows that seniors are having challenges with their clutter around the house. Often they have a fall and end up having to use a walker or wheelchair. With piles of clutter lining the hallways and staircases, a walker or a wheelchair simply will not fit between the piles. This clutter often becomes such an insurmountable obstacle for seniors that they do not know where to begin.Clutter isn't a problem unique to seniors, but if someone is suffering from conditions which are more common as we grow older - such as stroke, brain trauma, or dementia - the result can be disorder or even chaos. It could threaten the senior's safety in the home and their independence. This is a problem all too familiar to caregivers. A good portion of that clutter is paper documents and letters that have accumulated over 35+ years of living in the same home. One of our clients had kept his tax returns for 57 years! As we have been addressing the issue of clutter with many of our own clients, Home Instead Senior Care has launched a whole program around the issue, called "Breaking Point". We brought in several organizations who address this issue on a regular basis and help people "de-junk" so to speak. We address the 10 Tips to Counter the Clutter Cycle and the 10 Reasons Why Seniors Hang onto Things. GoodRiddance Professional Organizing Solutions (Helps homeowners to decide what to keep and what to give away or sell.); KlearOut (motto is to reduce, reuse, recycle, renovate, repair) They have a truck they bring in to take away items and recycle 85% of what they "KlearOut" and they also can do repairs and renovations for seniors to help them stay safe at home, or get ready to move; Belvedere Care Centre (Just how much space to you have in a retirement home? I was amazed at how little closet space alone, that the residents have!); Home Instead Senior Care (Happy Memories or Household Hazards? "A lifetime's accumulation of possessions combined with a daily influx of junk mail, bills and newspapers can overwhelm seniors who may already be struggling physically, mentally or emotionally.") Summertime is a great time to do reorganizing. Since a great deal of the clutter that is encountered with seniors is the collection of old bills and tax papers and other documents, these need to be disposed of properly and without fear of identity theft or being harassed by "senior con artists", because some legal documents got into the wrong hands. When we held our first presentation in July at Glen Pine Pavilion, Carol Morris, the Recreation Program Coordinator mentioned to me that she was hearing quite a buzz about the Breaking Point presentation, and people were wondering how to dispose of their documents and papers. She asked if I would be willing to help their Glen Pine 50+ Society to arrange a special shredding event for the seniors. Since I already knew Cyclone Shredding well, I immediately asked them if they would be open to the idea. So, on Saturday, October 2nd of this year, we will have Cyclone Shredding bring their big shredding truck in and park it at Glen Pine Pavilion, 1200 Glen Pine Court, from 8:00am to 1:00pm that day. The event is totally FREE for seniors to bring their papers to be shredded. Every senior who wants to bring in their boxes of papers to be shredded, needs to pick up a coupon and add their name to a list at one of the Seniors Centres in the Tri-Cities. (Glen Pine Pavilion, Dogwood Pavilion, Kyle Centre, Centre' Bel'Age, or Wilson Centre) There are 2 reasons that seniors need to register and have a coupon. 1. So that we kow approximately how much paper will be coming in. The truck only holds equivalent of 400 bankers boxes. Also there will be a limit of 3 bankers boxes per senior. 2. Seniors need to register, so they can pick up the flyer with the list of accepted items for shredding. For instance, no plastic can be shredded. KlearOut will have their truck there to collect all the cardboard boxes. On September 24th there will be an orientation meeting at Glen Pine Pavilion, 1200 Glen Pine Court, Coquitlam, BC at 11:00am. We will be explaining how the event will play out and answer any questions about the event. We look forward to seeing all the seniors in the Tri-Cities turn out for this event!!!