![]() You may get and save too many items, gradually build up clutter in living spaces, and have difficulty getting rid of things.Īs you grow older, you may continue getting and holding onto things that you may never use and don't have space for. Our dedicated caregivers can help maintain your loved one’s home, keep it clean and safe, and provide a sense of social engagement that may decrease hoarding behaviors.Ĭontact us today! Our coordinators are available to discuss your senior care needs and requirements via a free home care consultation.The first symptoms of hoarding disorder often appear during the teenage to early adult years. If you need professional home care services to keep your senior’s living space free of clutter, consider Visiting Angels. Professional Home Care Can Combat Hoarding Compulsive hoarding could be caused by a neurological disorder or cognitive decline and may be a sign that medical help is needed. Get a medical evaluation Have a physician or mental health professional evaluate your loved one as soon as possible.As long as progress is steady, you are on the right track. Tell your loved one that progress has occurred and things are getting better.ĭecluttering a home may take a long time. Rejoice each time you clear an area or room. Items left in the trash or not removed from the home may be fished out and added back to the clutter. You may want to repeat this process multiple times in the same room.Īfter an item is discarded, make sure to remove it from their residence as soon as possible. It can be helpful to sort possessions into three bins: keep, donate, and throw away. Offer the choice of what areas to target. Remove any tripping or fire hazards as well as out-of-date medications, expired food, or toxic substances. Coming into a senior’s home and cleaning against their wishes will not fix the problem and may exacerbate it through resentment.Īfter there is a mutual agreement for the need to declutter the home, you may want to use the following strategies: Let them know you care about their health, safety, and overall well-being.ĭo not rush to clean a senior’s home before they are ready unless there is immediate danger, such as visible tripping or fire hazards. ![]() Control rash reactions and be compassionateĬontrol your hasty reactions and respond gently when communicating with your senior.For example, ask if they would prefer to clean the bedroom or kitchen first or if they want a deep cleaning to begin Monday or on the weekend? Instead of making all the decisions for an older adult, offer them choices to help them maintain a sense of control. Speak with the caregiving team and determine who your loved one is likely to listen to the most. Having one person take the lead when discussing hoarding behaviors can be very useful. Here are some helpful suggestions for family members to consider when handling a hoarding issue: Helping people with a hoarding disorder is a challenge, but it is not impossible. Addressing a Hoarding Situation With Seniors Hoarding may also be related to cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, or Diogenes syndrome. Sometimes, hoarding may give them a feeling of control over their environment as their physical or mental autonomy declines. Holding onto objects may remind them of better times. Many seniors become increasingly isolated with age and may begin to hoard things as a coping mechanism. Inability of emergency responders to reach them in the event of an emergencyĪlthough hoarding may be difficult to understand, there is often a rationale behind it.Refusal of help and increased social isolation.Poor nutrition or food poisoning from expired food and beverages.Fire hazards, particularly in the kitchen.Difficulty moving safely around the home.Hoarding may not seem dangerous, but it can cause major problems – especially for vulnerable people such as seniors. They may claim the clutter is due to sentimental value, a need for future use, or a “great deal” they got at a store or online. Seniors who hoard will offer many excuses to avoid throwing anything away – even items they don’t want or need. An individual’s unwillingness or inability to discard items is also an indication. Hoarding is a behavioral disorder characterized by extreme clutter in a home that negatively impacts a person’s quality of life. What is Hoarding and Its Effects on Seniors? If so, your elderly loved one may have a hoarding problem. Are out-of-date medications and expired food items creating a mess?.Does the garage or basement appear to be a dumping ground?.Are countertops, sinks, and tables piled with dirty dishes and other items?.Can you find open spaces to sit down or place your purse?.Is it difficult to move from room to room?.The next time you visit an elderly parent or beloved senior, take a good look around their home for signs of clutter or untidiness. How to Help Seniors With Hoarding Problems
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