Signs of Hoarding: Does This Sound Like Your Elderly Loved One?

Hoarding can be dangerous. Your elderly loved one could fall in their home if they are a hoarder. If you are worried about your elderly loved one in this regard, it may be time to look out for the signs of hoarding. If you do find out they are hoarding, you can take the necessary action steps from there.

Home Care Seal Beach CA – Signs of Hoarding: Does This Sound Like Your Elderly Loved One?

Inability to Discard Possessions

Do you notice that your elderly loved one has accumulated possessions? If so, do you notice they have a difficult time getting rid of anything? Maybe they refuse to get rid of anything they accumulate. If this is the case, they are a hoarder.

Associated Anxiety

When you ask your loved one to get rid of something, do they get anxious? Does it seem like throwing anything away or even talking about throwing anything away causes them to become anxious? If this is something you notice, then your elderly loved one might be a hoarder.

Difficult Organizing Belongings

When you look at your loved one’s home, does it look like they have a tough time organizing their belongings? Do they have piles and piles of stuff that they just don’t know what to do with? If you have answered yes to this, your loved one could be a hoarder.

Less Living Space

When you walk into your loved one’s home, do you notice they have less and less space for actual living? Do they have limited space to walk through their home? When you walk through their house do you have a difficult time getting around? Maybe you have to step over things to get from the kitchen to the living room. If there is less living space in your elderly loved one’s house, they are probably a hoarder.

Clutter Everywhere

Another sign of hoarding is when your elderly loved one has clutter everywhere. They may have things all over the tabletops, countertops, nightstands, dressers, and even the floor. This might cause them or others in their life distress.

Obsessed Over Needing Items

Is your elderly loved one unwilling to run low on any items they need? Maybe they have boxes and boxes of tissues. They might have packs and packs of toilet paper or gallons of shampoo. If they are obsessed over needing items, they could be a hoarder.

Your elderly loved one’s hoarding can affect everyone in their life. It can affect you, other family members, their friends, their home care providers, and others, too. If you have determined that your elderly loved one is a hoarder, now is the time to set up an action plan, so something can be done about it.

Sources: https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/hoarding-basics

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Seal Beach CA, please contact the caring staff at 1Heart Care Services today.