Concern is growing about the prevalence of hoarding disorder among seniors, and the lack of access to effective treatments. Some have found coping strategies — and community — in a support group.
A dozen people seated around folding tables clap heartily for a beaming woman: She's donated two 13-gallon garbage bags full of clothes to a Presbyterian church, including several Christmas sweaters and a couple of pantsuits.
Due to demographic shifts, hoarding disorder is a growing public health concern. Effective treatments are scarce. And because hoarding can require expensive interventions that drain municipal resources, more funding and expertise is needed to support those with this diagnosis before this issue of clutter grows into a crisis.Fight the Blight
"It is the only mental health disorder, besides dementia, that increases in prevalence and severity with age," said Ayers. That's a bad idea, and it can backfire, said psychologist Kiara Timpano. This approach fails to address people's underlying issues and can be traumatic. Housing advocates argue that under the Fair Housing Act, tenants with this diagnosis are entitled to reasonable accommodations. This might include allowing someone time to declutter a home and seek therapy before forcing them to leave their home.
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