A hoarding disorder can be hazardous for seniors.
Most Americans have some level of clutter in their homes.
Anecdotally, have you noticed the proliferation of storage facilities in your community?
That is a tell.
Nevertheless, most Americans periodically sort through their papers and belongings to rid their home of what they no longer need.
Some people find themselves overwhelmed by the volume of possessions in their homes.
They cannot bring themselves to part with anything.
These individuals often cross from collecting to hoarding.
Hoarding is often connected to emotional distress or cognitive issues and can pose environmental hazards to those in the home.
When families notice behaviors in their aging loved ones, it is essential to address them, but doing so can be challenging.
Helping a loved one with a hoarding disorder can feel daunting.
People give various reasons for their hoarding behavior.
Older adults often have emotional attachments to their belongings.
Sometimes they believe they should hold on to old appliances or items in case they will need them in the future.
A hoarding disorder can be related to several diagnosable mental health conditions like past trauma, depression, or dementia.
Although hoarding can be a sign of cognitive decline, it can also be related to fears of loss or a desire for control and organization.
What are the signs of hoarding disorder?
Those who struggle with hoarding often have disorganized living spaces, refuse to discard useless or broken possessions, and withdraw socially from embarrassment.
When hoarding is more severe, key areas in the home, like bathrooms, kitchens, or emergency exits, can become inaccessible.
Many loved ones can feel helpless in knowing how to address their concerns.
Seniors can be resistant to attempts to help and can find it hard to admit there is an issue.
A gentle and patient approach, rather than a forceful one, can create trust and reduce barriers of shame surrounding the behavior.
While there can be challenges related to all intensities of hoarding, severe hoarding can significantly increase the risk of injury or lead to illness due to unsanitary conditions.
Homes can become vulnerable to pests, mold, and fire hazards.
Yikes!
When the seniors are renters rather than owners of their residence, they may face eviction from landlords due to lease or code violations.
If the seniors own their own home, the city or neighbors may become involved.
In instances where families have concerns about whether the senior is capable of making safe decisions, they may need to seek guardianship through the courts.
For a guardianship to be granted, a precise medical diagnosis deeming incapacity will be required.
Adult protective services may be brought in for some cases of hoarding.
They can provide assessments of the situation and help implement safety plans.
Securing the aid of an elder care attorney can help loved ones navigate the balance between legal protections and autonomy for the individual with the hoarding disorder.
While it may be tempting to clear out the clutter quickly, this is neither realistic nor a long-term goal.
Understanding the root cause of the hoarding disorder and developing a plan to support the loved one will make a more lasting impact.
How can you address these aspects of hoarding?
You can seek the service of a specialist in hoarding disorder or a geriatric mental health professional.
Therapy with one of these individuals can address underlying cognitive decline, anxiety, or trauma.
Before purging, work with the senior to identify the items of most value.
By protecting the practical and sentimental items, you can promote progress and reduce resistance.
The senior will feel safer, understood, and supported.
Forcing a large-scale removal can be perceived as threatening.
It is better to opt for small and respectful bouts of cleaning.
When cognitive decline is identified, legal planning should be prioritized immediately to secure the health and financial future of the senior.
An experienced estate planning attorney or elder law attorney can create or update financial and healthcare power of attorney documents, last wills, or trusts so that families can provide the necessary support to their loved ones.
Hoarding can be a sign of significant cognitive and mental health challenges rather than laziness.
Extreme clutter can be hazardous to health due to poor sanitation, mobility issues, or fire hazards.
Although guardianships may be necessary to protect the well-being of an aging loved one, it is preferable to have powers of attorney established before incapacity occurs.
Working with hoarders requires compassionate understanding and mental health treatment for sustained results.
Proactive legal planning can help preserve the dignity of seniors while simultaneously protecting their health and property.
This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice on any specific issue or problem. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship between Harvest Law KC and the reader.
References: Hebrew SeniorLife (Jan 22, 2024) "The Hazard of Hoarding Among Seniors" and Mayo Clinic (Jan 26, 2023) "Hoarding Disorder - Symptoms and Causes"
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