Junk Mail Magic

Discuss advertising mail handling with a care facility

Before anyone removes a resident's advertising mail, find out two things: what the resident wants, and how the facility handles mail. Ask staff who delivers it, whether anyone may help a resident contact advertisers, and who answers questions about the routine. The resident decides which mailings stay.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated .

Questions to settle first

  1. Start with the resident. Ask which catalogs, magazines or charity mailings they enjoy and which they would like to stop. Write their answers down before you speak with staff.
  2. Ask the front desk or administrator how mail reaches residents. It might be delivered unopened, sorted by staff or collected from a common area. Ask whether the routine is written down and who can explain it.
  3. Ask whether staff or family may help a resident contact advertisers, and whether the resident must take part. Do not assume anyone may act for the resident.
  4. Ask which staff contact handles mail when a resident moves, and how the resident or authorized representative is involved. Keep any delivery or records change separate from catalog preferences. Do not assume a helper may redirect the resident’s mail.
  5. Agree on one staff contact for questions about the mail routine.

Sorting help is not authority

Permission to sort or carry a resident's mail gives no authority over money, medical decisions or legal matters. Keep these questions to ordinary advertising. Invoices, benefit letters, legal notices and care records stay with the resident or the person they have formally authorized, and none of them belong on the worksheet.

Private worksheet: facility mail questions

Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.

Resident's wishes (their words): [wishes] Mail to keep: [senders] Mail to stop: [senders] Facility contact name and role: [name, role] How mail reaches the resident: [delivered unopened / sorted by staff / common area] Written mail routine?: [yes / no / ask] Who may help with advertising requests: [name or role] Must the resident take part?: [yes / no] Mail for residents who leave or die is handled by: [name or role] Date we spoke: [date]

Confirm what you heard

After the meeting, send the staff contact a short note covering who handles mail, who may assist with advertising requests, and the resident's stated preferences. Ask them to correct any errors. Once the arrangement is confirmed, pick the first sender the resident wants to stop and make that request with the resident.

Agree on what a helper may do with advertising mailReview catalogs after a move to assisted livingSort accumulated advertising after a hospital stayChoose one family contact for advertising follow-upHelping another adultAll practical mail guides

Keep personal records with the organization that handles them

Junk Mail Magic is for ordinary unwanted advertising. Use the official contact route in this guide for records, account changes or someone else’s correspondence.

Compare removal routes