Hoarding Fact Sheet
This Fact Sheet is Published through the Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Older Adults Services Division. 

The collection of newspapers, magazines, old clothes and other items may cause fires while animal hoarding can spread contagious diseases. It is estimated that older adults represent a significant number of people who hoard.

Why do People Hoard?

The behavior of hoarding is seen in various illnesses. Because of that, it has been difficult to place in a diagnostic category. Time and/or age of onset are variable and the behavior differs from person to person. 

Frequently, older adults have been found to hoard for the following reasons:

• Items are perceived as valuable
• items provide a source of security
• Fear of forgetting or losing items
• Constant need to collect and keep things
• Obtaining love not found from people
• Fear others will obtain their personal information
• Physical limitations and frailty
• Inability to organize
• Self neglect
• Stressful life events

Intervention

Hoarding is recognized as both a mental health issue and a public health problem. It is typically not an immediate crisis. The hoarding behavior usually has been occurring for a long time and hasty interventions will not resolve it. in addition, interventions without the older adult's cooperation can lead to the development of dangerous behaviors. Careful assessment of the individual situation is essential for a successful outcome. 

Therefore, it is recommended that intervention be collaborative involving the older adult, family and other agencies, i.e. mental health, adult protective services, code enforcement, building & safety, animal control and criminal justice.

Tips

	DO contact the older adult face-to-face
	DO use a soft, gentle approach and let the older adult tell his/her story.
	DO treat the older adult with respect and dignity.
	DO respect the meaning and attachment to possessions by the older adult, which may be as intense as human attachment.
	DO remain calm and factual, but caring and supportive.
	DO evaluate for safety.
	DO refer for medical and mental health evaluation.
	DO go slowly and expect gradual changes.
	DO reassure the older adult that others will try to help and work with him/her.
	DO involve the older adult in seeking solutions.
	DO work with other agencies to maximize resources.

	DON'T hospitalize unless there is a clear plan for what this is to accomplish.
	DON'T force interventions.
	DON'T be critical or judgmental about the older adult's environment.
	DON'T use the older adult's first name unless he/she gives permission.
	DON'T press the older adult for information that appears to make him/her uncomfortable.
	DON'T make negative, teasing or sarcastic comments.
	DON'T talk about the older adult to others as if he/she is not present.

Resources

• Department of Mental Health - ACCESS Center
  (800) 854-7771
  Information & referral to local mental health system of care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Adult Protective Services
  (800) 992-1660
  Investigation & crisis intervention for elder and dependent adult abuse including self-neglect, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Infoline
  (800) 339-6993; TDD (800) 660-4026
  24-hour information & referral to human service agencies.

• Self-Help and Recovery
  (310) 305-8878
  Referrals to hoarding and other self help support groups.
  May be recorded messages.

Websites

• The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
  offers information and resources about obsessive compulsive disorder and hoarding.

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