Hoarding Syndrome: What to Do if Your Richmond Senior Won’t Reduce Clutter

Getting rid of stuff is actually a two-step process:  sorting and deciding, on the one hand, and disposing on the other. 

That’s according to University of Kansas Professor Dr. David Ekerdt, who is coordinating a “household moves” project to determine the role that possessions play in older people’s housing decisions.  But convincing seniors can be a challenge.

Following are strategies if your loved one doesn’t want to let go from Katherine “Kit” Anderson, CPO-CD, president of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD), and Vickie Dellaquila, certified professional organizer and author of Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash.

1. Arrange and Cheer Small Victories.  Suppose you spend a short time helping your loved one clear off a table.  Celebrate the accomplishment together.
2. Conduct an “Experiment.”  If your elderly loved one has 150 empty margarine tub containers, suggest donating 15 of those to a school for a painting project.  Allow some time to go by and ask how she felt giving those up.  Chances are she won’t feel as awful as suspected.
3. Gently Approach the Idea of Health and Safety.  Remind your loved ones that too much clutter can actually keep them from being safe in their homes, which could jeopardize their ability to stay at home and continue to live independently as they age.  They could trip over papers on the floor or lose bills and medications.
4. Draft an Agreement.  Agree to box up unused clothing or tools.  Carefully list what’s in the box and track that for six months.  If your elderly loved one does not use the items in that time, suggest they donate them to a charity.
5. Consider the Control Issue.  Clutter is all about control, but so is being the one to decide where stuff goes.  Remind your senior loved ones if they don’t decide where something will go, someone else will.

For more information about hoarding syndrome, contact the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) at www.nsgcd.org or visit http://homeinstead.com/richmond-va.  For tips on talking to a loved one about sensitive subjects, go to www.4070talk.com.

For more information about how our Richmond Home Instead CAREGivers can help you or your elderly loved one reduce clutter and keep their homes clean and safe, simply call us anytime at 804.527.1100.  We serve all of Greater Richmond, as well as Northern Neck out of our Tappahannock office.

Tagged as: Chronic Disorganization, Collecting Stuff, David Ekerdt, Hoarding Strategies, Hoarding Syndrome, Home Care Richmond, home care tappahannock, Household Moves, Kit Anderson, NAPO, NSGCD, Reducing Clutter, Senior Care Richmond, senior care tappahannock, Seniors and Clutter, Seniors and Hoarding, Vickie Dellaquila