How Can You Help a Senior Hoarder?

Before we talk about helping a senior hoarder, we need to understand, as best we can, what hoarding means and what the hoarded “stuff” means to its owner.

The definition of hoarding…

is not just accumulating a lot of things, but rather it is to compulsively shop, save, acquire a variety of objects, and then being unable to part with with anything.  Hoarding is not only a physical situation, but is also a psychological disorder that is not completely understood.

Hoarders “collect” for various reasons:

• Some have lived through very hard times when they have had nothing, so they fear letting go of whatever they have now.
• Some are “addicted” to TV shopping shows, and can’t pass up such awesome deals.
  • In one family, the mother was so addicted to the shopping networks, that you could barely get in the front door due to all the unopened shipment boxes blocking the entrance.
• They may hold onto everything from their past for sentimental reasons.
• Some think their possessions are of great worth and won’t part with them.
• Others think the items may be useful in the future, and they will be able to use them…2 examples below:
  • When a family was cleaning out the house after their grandmother had passed away, they found a box full of little pieces of thread that was labelled… “Thread too short to do anything with, but too long to throw away.”
  • Another family, when clearing our their grandpa’s 3 car garage, found boxes and boxes of empty little purple inhalers. Grandpa kept them because he might find something to do with them someday.
• Some may be suffering from dementia, depression, anxiety, or some other cognitive disorder.

It’s been noted that some of the most popular hoarded items are clothing, books, magazines and newspapers…but in reality it can be anything or everything, and can be done by any age group, but as hoarders become seniors, the problem seems to escalate.

The risks of hoarding, especially for seniors…

For seniors, hoarding can cause some serious risks, both physical and healthwise.

• Hoarders, especially seniors, have a high risk of falling and injuring themselves in a home filled to the ceiling with “stuff”.
• Hoarding can be an unsanitary situation, again with “stuff” to the ceiling” you know it’s been there awhile, which means you don’t know what’s living under all that mess…I’ve heard of situations where mice or rat droppings are found in abundance, as well as long time missing pets being found under everything.
• These homes become fire hazards with all the stacks of newspapers and magazine. They are also difficult homes for EMT’s to get into to reach the homeowner in case of emergency.
• Seniors who hoard and live alone often have a difficult time getting to edible food or necessary medications.

There are ways you can help your senior hoarder…

It doesn’t do any good to get all exasperated and irritated with your senior, in fact, that will only upset them. Being in control of your own emotions, by being kind and compassionate, will help you help them. Getting started will be the most dificult step of the whole process, one that may require the help of a therapist.

• Your attitude about the situation is very important…
  • Leave anger at the door
  • Don’t tell them they have to get rid of all this stuff…this stuff is important to them, and they need to feel you respect them and their stuff.
  • Keep your cool, even if things get rough and possibly disgusting.
• It might be very helpful to take them for a visit to their physician. The doctor will tell you if this hoarding problem is associated with dementia or some other medical condition.
• Start with baby steps, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and neither is cleaning out a hoarder’s home accomplished in a day.
• It may be helpful, and necessary, to find a professional company to help you handle the hoarding situation. There are professionals that will not only clear the home, but will sanitize it as well.
• Once you have set a date for the clean out to begin, start the process one room at a time. Don’t be in a hurry to get the job done, it may take several weeks. By taking a little more time, you are giving your senior a chance to get used to the idea of what’s going on.
• Use a de-cluttering system, keep it simple…designate areas for the following:
  • Keep
  • Donate
  • Trash
• If your senior is a collector, respect the fact that they love their collection, so maybe you could have them choose their favorite pieces, keep them and donate the rest for others to enjoy.
• Remember, although each step is a victory for you, it’s difficult for your senior.

We are Certified Senior Move Managers recognized by our National Association of Senior Move Managers, NASSM! We are committed to serving our seniors with a high standard of ethics, best business practices and continuing education to help make whatever transition they are going through a Smooth Transition.

Contact us to learn how we can help you and/or your family cope with a senior  hoarder anywhere in the Phoenix East Valley area. We would love to serve you.