Many people collect items, but when does a senior’s collecting habits become a problem? Seniors are often more prone to hoarding, as hoarding tendencies usually worsen with age. Simply accumulating items does not constitute as hoarding, but when clutter accumulation becomes extensive and begins affecting other aspects of the senior’s life, then hoarding may be an issue. Hoarding can be dangerous due to its various impacts, so recognizing hoarding early on can help to improve the life of the senior before major complications occur.
Be aware of the signs of a senior clutter problem in order to recognize and address hoarding tendencies earlier. Here are 15 signs to be on the lookout for:
- Difficulty managing daily tasks
- Lost and/or piles of mail and unpaid bills
- Expired food items
- Expired medications
- Broken appliances
- Excessive attachment to items
- Inability to discard items, no matter how little value they hold
- Social isolation
- Compulsive shopping
- Blocked pathways, doorways, and/or windows
- Rooms are not able to be used for intended use
- Structural damages
- Unsanitary conditions
- Trash and/or human waste
- Pest infestation
Discovering a senior clutter/hoarding problem early on can make a significant difference in the life of the hoarder. If an elderly loved one is displaying signs of hoarding, it is important address the situation as soon as possible. If you suspect a hoarding situation, talk to the individual who is hoarding and seek assistance to treat the hoarding situation, including mental health services and hoarding cleanup services, such as those of Address Our Mess.