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    Hoarding Help

    Compassionate. Slow. Effective.

    Understanding hoarding

    • Recognized mental health condition (DSM-5).
    • Common in seniors who lived through Depression.
    • Often linked to grief, trauma, anxiety.
    • NOT laziness or character flaw.
    • Forced cleanouts often backfire — items return.
    • Treatment + therapy = lasting change.

    Health + safety risks

    • Fall hazard — narrow paths.
    • Fire hazard — paper, blocked exits.
    • Mold + pest infestations.
    • Air quality / respiratory.
    • Adult Protective Services may intervene.
    • Social isolation (won't let visitors in).
    • Code enforcement / eviction risk.

    Therapy approaches

    • CBT for Hoarding — gold standard. Look for therapist trained in it.
    • Buried in Treasures workshop — group, evidence-based.
    • SSRIs — sometimes prescribed alongside therapy.
    • Find therapist — Psychology Today, IOCDF.org hoarding directory.
    • 6-12 months minimum.

    Free + low-cost help

    • Children of Hoarders — childrenofhoarders.com. Family support.
    • International OCD Foundation — iocdf.org. Resources.
    • Adult Protective Services — last resort if endangered.
    • Area Agency on Aging — local case workers can connect.
    • HoardersAnon — 12-step style support groups.
    • Reddit r/ChildofHoarder, r/hoarding — peer support.

    Cleaning specialists

    • NASP-certified hoarding cleanup specialists.
    • $2,000-50,000 depending on severity.
    • Some homeowner's insurance covers (check).
    • Senior services / Medicaid sometimes covers.
    • Work WITH them not against — slow + dignified.
    • One room at a time approach.

    For family members

    DON'T do surprise cleanouts. DON'T shame. DO offer help with one corner at a time. Read "Buried in Treasures" book ($15). Join Children of Hoarders support group. Care for yourself first — change is slow.