Tips To Help Seniors Overcome Hoarding Issues

Experts think that seniors are prone to cluttering for a variety of reasons such as anxiety, depression, fear of loss, not knowing how to get rid of possessions, or memories associated with particular items. 

Seniors who stay in clutter have plenty of safety risks such as slipping on papers, threat of fire, or the health effects of mold and mildew. Moreover, clutter can also interfere with family relationships and leave children wondering if inheritance is a big mess. 

Getting rid of stuff is a two-step process: sorting and disposing. Here are some strategies for elderly hoarders to let go of the clutter. 

Signs That Clutter Can Start Creeping Up On Seniors 

• Difficulty walking around the home
• Jammed closets and drawers
• Loneliness
• Expired food in the fridge
• Piles of unpaid bills 
• Frustration in organizing 
• Unable to decide which items to discard

Tips To Deal With Clutter

Here are some tips that can help families to tackle the clutter. 

Arrange and cheer victories

Take out time out of your busy schedule to clear off the table and once done with this, make sure to celebrate this accomplishment together. 

Experiment

If your loved one has an excess of margarine tub containers, consider suggesting they donate some to a school for a painting project. After some time has passed, ask them about their feelings regarding this act of giving, and you may find that they don’t feel as bad about it as initially thought.

Gently approach the idea

Speak to your loved ones and remind them that too much clutter can prevent them from safely living in their home and this can also jeopardize their ability to age in place at home. With the clutter spread over, seniors are more likely to trip over papers on the floor or lose bills and medications. 

Come to an agreement

Agree with seniors to box up unused clothing or tools. List down the things in the box and track them for the six months. If you notice that seniors are not using those items during that period, consider donating them to charity. 

Consider the control issue 

Tell seniors that they do not decide where something will go, then someone else on their behalf will decide.