Thanks to the popularity of reality shows, the topic of extreme hoarding is no longer relegated to an obscure psychological disorder. But even in a less virulent form, collecting and attempting to manage too many possessions can pose a real risk to a senior citizen living at home. To underscore the dangers, consider this story.
Last year, two elderly men in San Francisco succumbed to a house fire. Firemen could not save them because a wall of clutter kept them at bay. The danger of disorder in a home can have dire consequences.
Senior citizens are at greater risk of developing a compulsion to hoard for several reasons. If someone already struggles with a tendency to accumulate an abundance of possessions, the temptation to hoard only grows with time. A person’s tendency to hoard often emerges in adolescence. Over time, it can become a life-threatening issue.
How will you know it’s crossed the line to hoarding? Simply maintaining a collection of artifacts and mementos, as virtually all seniors do, is not hoarding. Collecting turns into hoarding when the compulsion to acquire an overabundance of objects, pets or documents begins to consume living space or poses a real danger to your loved one. Ask this question: are the keepsakes and special items posing serious challenges to safely navigating through the home?
Also, if essential medical equipment creates navigational challenges in a cluttered home, you may need to take another look at how best to organize the space. When possessions crowd out living space or the contents of the home pose a danger, it’s time to take action. If your senior should become trapped or fall in a cluttered room, that scenario could quickly turn into a tragedy. Also remember the importance of having more than one escape route free and clear.
There are several ways to transform a dangerously cluttered home into a safe environment for an elder. Consider hiring a cleaning service or an organizational coach. Talk over your plans ahead of time with your senior, and don’t rush the process. Instead, give your loved one time to adjust to the idea. You may have to take it very slow. For example, set aside one day every week or two to work on decluttering one room at a time.
Commit yourself to making progress in cleaning the home, even if it’s only baby steps. When a home or part of a room has been restored to a safe, uncluttered state, give your senior praise and attention, and thank your loved one for allowing you to set a beloved home aright.
If, despite all your efforts, an unsafe environment persists, you may need to work with a mental health professional to ensure a safe environment for your elder.