Hoarding and Squalor Clean

Hoarding is a complex disorder. It inhibits the individual from disposing of items that will be kept for future possible use. This can create a space of chaos and cause the property to become inhabitable.

People who hoard tend to carry a lot of guilt and shame around their living space. There are so many times where we have heard from families that they never knew their loved one lived in such conditions. This is absolutely normal. Hoarders become clever at hiding their accumulation. They will visit you; they will meet you at cafes and restaurants for lunch or dinner. They will make any excuse not to have you come to the house.

The guilt and shame are then transferred to the family who never knew. Just know, this is not yours to carry. The hoarder did not want you to know. So, you didn’t.

With in-home care on the rise due to the inception of the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), there are a lot of services who cannot and will not enter the home if there are not defined, clear and safe pathways through the home. This can delay vital in-home care services.

Hoarding is a fire risk to the occupant, their neighbours and firefighters. This is due to the sheer volume of items in the home, inaccessibility to exits in an emergency. It can also create issues for emergency services during a fire or medical emergency. High fuel loads (clutter and rubbish) can increase the size, spread, and severity of a fire. This makes it harder to contain the fire and extinguish.

We can work with you, your family or support worker to create a space that is more comfortable or manageable for you. This can be through the removal of rubbish, categorising of items, or use of storage solutions.

Hoarding is becoming more common. It is a complex issue that is usually the result of trauma. It needs to be approached with understanding, patience, and care. Not judgement.