Follow
Share
Find Care & Housing
APS is going to know the answer to this.
I would call them.
I would make it clear that at this time, you and your family don't wish to "report" this as a crisis situation or as a senior at risk, because the family is attempting at this time to remedy the situation and monitor and help the senior. But I would ask them for the names of area cleaning services that may help you. I will tell you that none will act without your help and supervision because of the problems with the hoarding mental set, and because there is risk of throwing away hidden items and being sued afterward.
So that ultimately, this will be on you.
At some point, given what is UNDER THE HOARD a home is demolished at the end. It may be better here to remove the senior to a small apartment carefully monitored by family, and to empty and sell the hoarded place for whatever it may bring. In some farming community, and if land is involved, that would be a LOT and would put the senior in good hands for life.
Wish you a lot of good luck.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

I’ve helped with the clean out of my sibling’s hoarded house twice, at his request. He’s had lifelong undiagnosed mental illness and is prone to extreme rudeness, temper, and illogical tirades. Both times the mess came back very quickly. I will not do it again. You can google “extreme cleaners” or “deep cleaners” and find help. Be aware if mom is still living in the home, she will fight any clean up, even when she agrees to it, and the hoard is most likely to return. It’s an incredibly frustrating process. I wish you well
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Daughterof1930
Report

What is mom's cognition?
If she is cognizant and is choosing to live like this there is not much you can do.
If it is a matter of safety either Fire or Health or Physical safety you can call village, City, County inspectors.
Hoarding is a specific problem, could be a sign of Mental Illness.
All that said Hoarding can be one of the signals of some forms of Dementia.
It is not intended as Hoarding but forgetting you have X item so you buy another, or forgetting where you put it so you get another, or more to replace what you can't find.
If mom is an actual Hoarder you can't just come in and clean it out. The problem will continue and if mom is cognizant you are removing belongings of hers without her permission. (Imaging if someone came into your house and removed most of your belongings, how fast would you be on the phone to the police reporting a break in, and theft)
Are you POA?
Is this a Safety issue?
Has mom been diagnosed with dementia?
If so as POA you are obligated to do what is in mom's best interest for her health and safety.
Discuss with her doctor the problem. There are antianxiety medications that might help.

But to answer the basic question yes there are companies that will come in and do clean outs. Not an inexpensive task.
I will say that if mom does have dementia that you had better be the one to do this you never know what you will find in books, drawers, pockets of clothing and any other place that might have been a "safe place" for her treasures.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

Is your Mom going to continue to live in the home?

Have you discussed cleaning it with her? I'm asking to find out whether she is a true hoarder, or if she just has cognitivce decline that is preventing her from maintaining an orderly house.

Hoarding is a mental disorder. If your Mom is an actual hoarder she will be enraged if you attempt to disturb her hoard, and then even if you were successful in forcing a clean-up she will only re-hoard. You would be more successful in you looped in a therapist who specializes in hoarding disorder so that you can navigate this situation in a more productive way.

Hopefully your Mom is not an actual hoarder.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter