Although some people have collections of items they boast about and display, such as coins, knick-knacks, or porcelain dolls, others take the collecting too far and are considered hoarders. When seniors hoard, the habit can become so extreme that they can't even safely get to the bathroom at night or prepare a cup of coffee without tripping over some things and bumping into others.
If you have a hoarding senior in your life, in-home senior care can still help, you'll just need to make a plan to effectively address the problem.
A Home Health Care Worker Assists With Personal Care
When a senior becomes a hoarder, they may be more concerned with finding a place to put everything they save than taking care of themselves, but a worker coming in can offer immediate help with those important tasks, such as bathing, grooming, and lifting the spirits of the senior. Left alone as a hoarder, an elderly person may become socially withdrawn, among other unhealthy characteristics, so an outsider letting the sunshine in is usually a big help.
When A Worker Takes The Senior Out, Much Can Be Done Around The Home
Home health care workers might bring the senior to a doctor's appointment or another errand, leaving the home more accessible to cleaning. Although the senior may not be pleased with any rearrangements, especially if anything is removed, it's essential that things like fire codes be met and the home is easily traversed by the senior. Let them know things may be cleaned up a little before they leave so they won't feel betrayed, but take advantage of the opportunity to minimize the hoarded clutter, particularly any items that may carry germs or create walking hazards.
A Joint Solution For Hoarding Can Be Worked On Gradually
While it's difficult to convince someone to change the ways their set in, even if it's in their own best interests, since the person is placing themselves in harm's way by accumulating a mass of items around the house, a team can be formed, including the home health care workers. Eventually, everyone can work together to eliminate the worst of the clutter and prevent it from piling up in the first place. Depending on the reasons for the hoarding or, possibly, self-neglect, a caring dynamic must be in place to oversee the well-being of the senior, and that's easier to accomplish with outside, professional help.
The Safety Monitoring Is Invaluable When Conditions Are Questionable
Because hoarding can progress to squalor, unfortunately, the safety of the senior needs to be addressed on a continual basis. Some elders succumb to a condition called Diogenes syndrome where they tend to withdraw from the world, living under precarious circumstances that threaten their health and safety. A senior care services professional can help family and other concerned parties evaluate the situation and address it directly and effectively, for as long as the oversight is needed.
Seniors who hoard need help, but so do those who care about them. Since this situation often progresses, those around the senior must form a plan and involve outside professionals to restore order and advocate for things like health and safety. It's not an easy task, but when attempted as a cooperative and caring effort, resolution should follow.
