Tips for Helping a Hoarder

Hoarding impacts individuals and families in numerous ways, including unsafe living conditions, social isolation, and emotional distress. Despite these impacts, many hoarders may not realize the extent of their problem or may be resistant to help that could improve their quality of life. While it may be necessary to bring in a mental health professional, there are still several ways for helping a hoarder with this through patience, understanding, and the right approach.

How to Support Hoarders

To truly help a hoarder, the person with the hoarding disorder must be willing to accept help and address the issue. Once they’re on board, you can suggest therapy or counseling to address the underlying issues contributing to hoarding behavior. In addition to the valuable support a mental health professional can provide, there are ways you can offer additional support.

Establish Trust and Open Communication

To truly have an impact, you’ll need a foundation of trust and the ability to communicate openly. Anytime you approach the topic of hoarding, be gentle and nonjudgmental when expressing your support and willingness to listen. Remember that hoarding is a recognized mental health condition, and the person may experience significant distress at the thought of parting with their possessions.

Develop a Plan Together

Start with a plan to tackle the clutter. An action plan can help a hoarder feel more comfortable with the changes and reduce resistance to the decluttering process. Set realistic goals and focus on making gradual progress rather than aiming for a complete transformation overnight.

Start Small and Focus on Safety

Begin the hoarding cleanup process by targeting areas that pose immediate safety risks, such as cluttered pathways that can become a fire hazard. Make an effort to highlight how decluttering these spaces can make their living environment safer and more comfortable. For example, clearing the kitchen counters and stove can reduce fire risks and make meal preparation easier.

Use the “Three-Box Method”

Implement the “three-box method ” when sorting through items. To do this, designate three boxes or spaces in a staging area. Label each based on the intention for the items that end up there:

  1. Keep
  2. Donate
  3. Discard

This system simplifies the decision-making process, making it less overwhelming for the hoarder. Remember, this can still be difficult and take time, so your patience and support will be crucial throughout the process.

Respect Boundaries and Possessions

Respect the hoarder’s attachment to their items by asking permission before touching or moving any of the hoarder’s belongings. Something may not hold value to you but be priceless to your loved one. Let them decide what to keep, what to discard, and what to donate. Allowing them to maintain a sense of control over the situation may prevent resistance.

Set Boundaries and Avoid Enabling Behaviors

Avoid enabling a hoarder’s disorder by offering to store items or pay for extra storage space. While it may feel like this is helpful, it actually perpetuates the problem. Similarly, refrain from shopping or scavenging with the hoarder, which can contribute to further accumulation.  

Implement a “One In, One Out” Rule

To prevent future accumulation, encourage the hoarder to adopt a “one in, one out” rule. For every new item brought into the home, an existing item should be removed. This strategy helps maintain the progress made during the decluttering process.

Celebrate the Small Victories

Acknowledge and celebrate every small step forward, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Positive reinforcement boosts motivation and encourages continued progress in the decluttering journey.

Consider Professional Hoarding Cleanup Services

Hoarding creates an overwhelming situation. In many cases, you may need to consider enlisting the help of a professional removal service specializing in hoarding cleanup. Experts, like Mean Green Junk Removal, can efficiently handle large-scale cleanouts while being sensitive to the hoarder’s emotional needs.

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