Recently my family moved from a two-bedroom condo to a three-bedroom, three-story townhouse. Moving is one of my least favorite activities as there is so much to do, and the work never seems done. My wife and I went through our belongings before the move and ruthlessly tossed things away. If we couldn’t justify why we owned it, it went in the trash. Yet, as we unpacked, it felt like we didn’t throw anything out. We continually asked ourselves, “How did we accumulate all this stuff?” I imagine this story is typical for families across the country.  Though, when it’s all done, we will have a clean home with maybe the exception of my kid’s toys on the floor. However, for some people the act of throwing things away is not possible, potentially making them hoarders.

What is Hoarding Disorder?

According to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, “Research defines hoarding disorder (HD) as the excessive acquisition of possessions, which are not discarded, and result in clutter that prevents the normal use of living spaces.” The Mayo Clinic reports hoarding results in less living space and surface areas, making it more difficult to do necessary activities in your home like using the kitchen and bathroom. The Senate Aging Committee published a report that detailed interviews with elder service providers about their experience with clients and hoarding. The report found that “80% experience substantial impairment in movement, 70% were unable to use their sofa, over half could not prepare food, 45% could (sic) not use their refrigerator, 42% could not use [their] kitchen sink, 42% could not use their bathtubs, 20% could not use their bathroom sink, and 10% could not use their toilet.”

What are the dangers of Hoarding Disorder?

Unfortunately, as detailed in Nancy Bloomstein’s Hebrew SeniorLife blog, “The Hazard of Hoarding Amoung Seniors,” hoarding impacts more than a person’s home. The damage can extend to people’s relationships with family and friends, causing isolation. It also increases the likelihood of the home becoming unsanitary, which can lead to insects and rodents. In apartment units this can be problematic for neighbors as well.

Problems with hoarding extend to falling because of the excessive clutter, which can result in broken bones or more severe injuries, particularly in older adults. The problems don’t stop there, hoarding causes fires to spread more easily and makes it more difficult for firefighters to reach and rescue people.

Bloomstein reports that between 2% and 6% of adults suffer from hoarding disorder noting that it’s more prevalent among older adults. For example, up to three times as many adults ages 55 to 94 suffer from hoarding compared to ages 34 to 44 years old.

Experts believe that hoarding is worse among older adults for a few reasons. First, they have more time to accumulate possessions. Secondly, according to NPR, Catherine Ayers, a psychiatry professor at the University of California San Diego, and Kiara Timpano, a psychology professor at the University of Miami, hypothesize that age-related cognitive changes may make the disorder more severe.

What can be done about the problem?

First, someone who suffers from hoarding disorder can seek the assistance of a mental health professional.  However, according to the Senate Aging Committee, there is a lack of specialists in the field. In Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, an organization called Flight the Blight offers cognitive behavioral therapy and cleaning services for those with hoarding disorders in the community.

Despite this, more needs to be done. In 2024, the Senate Aging Committee made recommendations to fight hoarding through federally provided training, guidance and technical assistance. They additionally suggested that Medicare and Medicaid coverage should be expanded to include treatment for hoarding.

The number of seniors in this country is increasing each day. Consequently, more time and resources at every level will need to be allocated to ensure that assistance for the disorder is more accessible for all.

---

Evan Carmen, Esq. is the Legislative Director for Aging Policy and Housing Development and Co-Director at the B’nai B’rith International Center for Senior Services. Click here to read more from Evan Carmen.