Study #1
Senior lady aged 70 who formerly worked in the health care field. She is divorced and has 1 adult child who has medical issues.
The landlord contacted Sarnia Fire with concerns about the residence. Community Support Worker attended with Sarnia Fire to assess. The clutter from the tenant’s unit was beginning to spill to outside areas which was affecting nearby tenants.
Numerous health and safety issues were identified:
- No access to exits
- Heating with space heaters
- High amount of flammables
- Expired food throughout home; items in fridge decomposing and considered a bio-hazard
- High fall risk
- Danger to emergency personnel in the event of fire
- Difficult to gain access to the tenant in the event of a medical emergency
The tenant was not eligible for any funding assistance as her pensions exceeded the allowable limits.
The Community Support Worker, Sarnia Fire and the Property Manager to encouraged tenant to move forward with clean up. She was resistant to assistance but was advised that if she failed to comply she was at risk of losing her housing.
The Community Support Worker connected the tenant to cleaning services and worked with her on sorting items/cleaning out apartment. The tenant was involved in the clean up and making decisions about her belongings.
During the process, over $3000.00 was found in uncashed cheques, traveller’s cheques, gift cards, loose change/money.
The clean up took place over several months as the tenant was only willing to pay a minimum amount monthly for the clean up.
After the clean, the tenant was able to remain safely in her home. She has since reconnected with family who have assisted her with ongoing cleaning.