For some aging adults, hanging onto items they’ve had for a long time means that those items start to pile up in their homes. When they become a safety concern and seniors are having more trouble letting go of things that should obviously leave the home, family caregivers might want to ask whether their seniors are dealing with a hoarding disorder. Home care assistance can offer some support for seniors as they clear clutter and hoarded items from their homes.
How Bad Is the Hoarding?
Clinically speaking, there are levels to hoarding. Many seniors who have hoarding tendencies live in a home that is mostly clean and accessible, with some clutter around. What makes hoarding more dangerous and “bad” is when hoarded items pile up and block pathways and rooms in the home. When rooms become unusable, the home develops structural issues, or utilities like water and electricity are no longer functional, the hoard is veering toward unmanageable. Seniors may need interventions in order to recover from hoarding.
What Causes Aging Adults to Start Hoarding?
Hoarding disorder doesn’t usually occur alone. There are some mental health conditions, like depression or OCD, that make a hoarding disorder more likely. Seniors who are prone to hoarding might have trouble solving problems, might be indecisive, and could even have a family history of hoarding disorder. Traumatic events can cause people to start hoarding as well.
Look Into Underlying Health Causes
Sometimes seniors who didn’t ever show hoarding tendencies in the past find themselves having a tougher time managing their impulses to hang onto items. Underlying health issues like cognitive health problems, including brain injuries, can prompt seniors to start hoarding. Health conditions that make it tough for seniors to keep up with household tasks and maintain mobility can also cause seniors to develop hoarding tendencies. Home care assistance can be a huge help with mobility challenges and helping seniors to live in a healthy and clean environment.
Talk with Seniors About Safety
The main issue with hoarding for seniors is how safe they are at home. When hoarding extends beyond small pockets of clutter, seniors have to face many more tripping hazards and causes of possible injury. For seniors who are adamant about aging in place, understanding how hoarding tendencies can cause safety issues can sometimes help them to clear some of the hoard to become safer again. If that doesn’t work, healthcare providers may be able to offer seniors guidance to get the help they need to manage hoarding disorder.
Find Help with Practical Issues Related to Aging in Place
So many of the issues that seniors encounter when they’re aging in place can benefit from home care assistance. Professional caregivers can take over tasks that are more difficult for seniors to manage on their own. Their help can sometimes be what seniors need to address underlying issues. Focusing on keeping seniors as safe as possible means looking for all of the tools that can help, like professional caregivers.
Communicating with seniors and getting to the bottom of the causes of hoarding disorder can help families make a lot of progress to help the seniors they love. Home care assistance can go a long way toward offering seniors practical support as they strive to age in place safely.
If you or an aging loved one needs home care assistance in Castle Pines, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare of Parker. 303-953-9924
