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 Senior's Cluttering Issues

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Seniors have cluttering challenges that can sometimes be more difficult to solve than those in younger age groups. Most often, a family member will be aware of the problem before the mother/father/grandparent will admit that there is a problem. It can be the most heartbreaking of all cluttering experiences.

Although AARP membership can start at 50 (I am an AARP member at my tender young age), those with serious recognized hoarding problems are generally over 60. It's not that the hoarding magically started when the clock rolled past the 50's, but that it just seems to accelerate in later years. Remember that only 1.5% of the population qualifies as hoarders. But darn near everyone can qualify as a clutterer. The difference is that a hoarder will have actual garbage, pet feces (animal hoarding is common among serious clutterers and hoarders) and a nearly impenetrible jungle of plastic sacks of stuff and possession that make navigating through their houses tricky.

If you are over 60, and have realized that your cluttering or hoarding is causing you problems, you are in much better shape than most in your age group. Many cases of hoarding by senior citizens have progressed to the point where they have become a hazard to themselves. They have shut themselves off from their families and live in unsanitary conditions. Social services and/or code enforcement officers may to be called in. This can result in the loss of independent living. 

If you are the clutterer, you can change your behavior. It will not be easy and will require genuine commitment on your part. But ask yourself -- what am I getting out of living this way? Is it limited my social like, cutting me off from my children and grandchildren? Can I have my friends over? Have I kept even my minister from visiting? Do I really think I am happier living in filth than in cleanliness? Can I remember a time when my house was a joy to come home to? Wouldn't I really rather have that feeling again, instead of the dark, depressing feelings that come from the way it is now?

If you are the family of the clutterer/hoarder, you have probably tried to help numerous times and have become discouraged. The main thing to remember is that the issue should be approached from love and not from despair. Nagging doesn't do anyone any good. It will take a lot of small steps. But these are your parents. They deserve your help. They NEED your help. If you can't do it alone, hire someone to help you, a therapist of a professional organizer. If you can get your loved ones to attend Clutterless meetings, that is the best thing you can do for them. If they won't attend yourself. You will learn more about why they are the way they are and that will help you deal with them. If there's not a meeting in your area, start one.

Definitions

If you, or a family member you love, needs help, we need to define a couple of terms. A hoarder is someone who cannot make a decision about the value of anything. Hoarders will save more things than a clutterer. They often save old food tins, paper that food was wrapped in, don't take out the garbage and are completely surrounded by mountains of incomprehensible stuff they have accumulated over the years.

A clutterer will not have such a serious collection, and while navigation in a clutterers house can be challenging, you do not have to negotiate a maze of clutter to the same extent as above. A clutterer is not likely to be as unsanitary, and garbage will be taken out fairly regularly and old McDonald's cartons will not be in evidence (though I did know a clutterer who did save McDonalds containers, but kept them in the cupboard).

In short, a hoarder obsesses about her stuff. A clutterer just lets it accumulate without much thought.

Hoarding is a serious psychiatric condition and affects less than 1% of the population. It is classified as an OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) diagnosis. Cluttering affects many millions of people. Hoarders need psychiatric help. Clutterers would probably benefit, but can make changes by themselves if they are motivated. For more information about hoarding and OCD in general, go to The OC Foundation web page at www.ocfoundation.org.