Down-sizing and de-cluttering in preparation for a move to a seniors facility or small apartment from a home can be traumatic. But a couple of professional organizers from Burnaby have found a way to make it less disagreeable - even funny - and they are bringing their thoughts and their latest book to the Port Moody Public Library this Thursday, Jan. 30.
Susan Borax and Heather Knittel have been in the de-cluttering and moving business for 10 years, helping people get rid of their junk and providing them with resources so they can recycle their belongings and shred their old papers.
From their experience, they've identified pitfalls and opportunities for downsizing and have written a book on the topic, Good Riddance: Showing Clutter the Door. They also have a blog on their website (www.goodriddance.ca) and have written a musical that makes light of people's attachment to their stuff.
The book identifies the 100 things in the household that everybody keeps for no reason - such as old luggage and ratty towels - and talks about ways of letting these things go.
"There are many aspects to this, but moving is a difficult process for anybody," Borax acknowledged.
But people who have lived in their home for a long time and have complex medical health needs face even more challenges.
Thursday's 7 p.m. workshop at PMPL will offer some simple and practical downsizing strategies to organize parents for a transition to a retirement community, assisted living or long-term care facility.
Some of the topics to be covered are:
Where to begin - "When is it time to move?"
Getting your parents on-board and committed.
Involving family members - sharing the load with siblings, spouses and kids.
Sorting out a lifetime's emotionally-charged belongings.
Settling your parents into new surroundings.
Taking care of you.
Space is limited. Please call the library information desk at 604-469-4577 to reserve a seat.
Good Riddance will also take their musical on the road and groups interested in the 45 minute production that features parodies of popular songs and show tunes, sung by Knittel, Borax and friends, can contact them at [email protected]
