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WHEN SAVING
BECOMES A
PROBLEM…
Houses full of belongings may cause falls and injury, loss of friends, isolation and emotional distress. Sometimes there is a risk of fire or eviction.
Some people become overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin with all these belongings.
Hope and help is available through a variety of individuals and organizations who are trained and experienced in working with people whose belongings have overwhelmed their lives.
This brochure was produced by the County of Orange Health Care Agency and the Orange County (California) Task Force on Hoarding and is based upon original material developed by the Dane County, Wisconsin, Hoarding Task Force.
For more information about the Hoarding Task Force, call the Orange County Health Care Agency’s Older Adult Services Program at (714) 972-3700.
A person may have a problem with having too many belongings if they can identify with two or more of the following statements:
Saving or collecting continues beyond what is needed or usable—even though the house is full.
Value, uniqueness and sentiment are found in belongings that others do not find valuable, such as old papers, containers and food items.
There are strong emotional attachments formed with many items for comfort or safety.
Multiple efforts to stop collecting, organizing or discarding belongings are unsuccessful and lead to sense of anxiety, emptiness, vulnerability.
Belongings interfere with safe and functional use of the home for sleeping, cooking, bathing, and/or socializing.
Others see the belongings as
bothersome and dangerous.
The fear of losing things prevents the organization or discarding of belongings.
CHANGES CAN
BE MADE!
Excessive saving feels overwhelming. Change is challenging but possible.
Seek assistance. The problem won’t go away by itself.
Sometimes, the following suggestions can be helpful:
Develop a plan to make specific places in your home safe.
Be patient – take small steps.
Work on organizing one area or one room at a time.
Reduce the acquisition of new possessions.
Hoarding
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The acquisition of, and failure to discard, a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value
*
Living spaces that can’t be used for the intended purpose due to clutter
*
Significant distress or impairment in functioning caused by the hoarding
Possible Signs of Hoarding Behavior
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Blocked entries and exits (doors/windows)
*
Narrow or limited pathways in the home due to accumulation of materials
*
Large piles of combustible materials such as newspapers, magazines, used food containers and rubbish
*
Excessive collection and storage of items in the residence or yard that interferes with the intended use of that space
*
Foul odors emanating from the home
*
Excessive amount of companion animals
*
Vermin and/or insect infestations
*
Spoiled and/or rotting food
*
Accumulated human and/or animal waste
*
Non-working or inaccessible utilities, such as heat, running water, sewer, refrigeration
Participants in Orange County Task Force on Hoarding
*
Adult Protective Service Workers
*
Animal Control Officials
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Senior Service Providers
*
Code Enforcement Officials
*
Health and Mental Health Professionals
*
Fire Department Representatives
*
Housing Representatives
*
Professional Organizers
Task Force Goals
*
Education
*
Resource Development
*
Implementation of Effective Interventions
Task Force Core Values
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Respect the Individual
*
Hoarders are suffering from problems beyond their ability to cope or resolve without significant assistance
*
Causes of the behavior may be varied, multidimensional, and even multigenerational
*
Each individual requires a compassionate, individualized assessment and services
*
Hoarders deserve the same courtesy and respect that we ourselves expect
Respond as a Community
*
Hoarding affects both the individual and the community and thus requires community response
*
Service Providers should be aware that there are a variety of community responders and work as a team in addressing issues related to hoarding
*
Service Providers should be knowledgeable of the multiple factors contributing to hoarding behavior and methods to effect positive outcomes
*
Forced interventions should only occur as result of severe health, safety and/or legal issues
*
Health professionals should always be with client during or immediately following forced interventions
Online Resources
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The Obsessive Compulsive (OC) Foundation
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Clutterer’s Anonymous
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National Association of Professional Organizers
*
National Study Group of Chronic Disorganization
For more information on the OC Task Force on Hoarding:
County of Orange Health Care Agency/Behavioral Health Services
Older Adult Services
P.O. Box 355, Santa Ana, CA 92702
(714) 972-3700
For Help in Orange County:
Health Care Agency—(714) 972-3700
Social Services Agency—(800) 451-5155
Office on Aging—(800) 510-2020
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