Clutter addiction is a problem that effects up to 5% of Americans, many of whom are seniors. The problems can range from moderate messiness to hoarding so severe it may be related to a mental health disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder. Here’s what you should know, along with tips and resources that can help.
WHY PEOPLE HOARD
The reasons why most people hoard is because they have an extreme sentimental attachment to their possessions, or they believe they might need their items later. Hoarding can also be a sign that an older person is depressed or showing early symptoms of dementia.
Common problems for seniors who live in excessive clutter are:
- tripping, falling and breaking a bone
- overlooking bills
- missing medications that are hidden in the clutter
- suffering from the environmental effects of mold, mildew, and dust and even living among insects and rodents
WHAT TO DO
- To get a handle on the problem, see the Institute for Challenging Disorganization’s free, “Clutter Hoarding Scale,” which can be downloaded from their website at ChallengingDisorganization.org.
- Have a talk with the person, respectfully expressing your concern for his/her health and safety, and offering your assistance to help declutter.
- Most professional organizers recommend decluttering in small steps. Take one room at a time or even a portion of a room at a time.
- Before you start, designate three piles or boxes for the stuff: one pile is to keep-and-put-away, another is to donate, and the last is the throwaway pile. Determine where each thing belongs.
- If struggling with sentimental items that aren’t used, try to keep only one item for memory sake and donate the rest to family members who will use them.
- Set up a system for organizing the kept items and new possessions.
FIND HELP
Consider hiring a professional organizer to help prioritize, organize and remove the clutter. If there is a more serious hoarding problem (impairment of daily functions, financial difficulties, health problems, or other issues because of hoarding), seek professional help.
- Antidepressants and/or talk therapy can help address control issues, anxiety, depression and other feelings that may underline hoarding tendencies.
- See the International OCD Foundation which provides a hoarding center on their website (Hoarding.iocdf.org) that offers information, resources, treatments, self-help groups, and more.
Article reposted with permission of Jim Miller of The SAVVY SENIOR- A nationally syndicated
information column devoted to older adults and the families who support them.