Compulsive Hoarding - A Well Kept Family Secret

Compulsive hoarding may have been a well kept family secret, but now the family is concerned over the aging parent's safety in the home. This is an elder care crisis that is starting to rear its ugly head. Care giver stress over concerns about health code violations, fire safety or a fall that could lead to a death and being buried by trash.

City and county agencies have developed task forces to deal with the compulsive hoarder. The home of a hoarder looks like any other person's home from the outside. Sooner or later, the accumulation of debris in the house gets to a point where the local government agencies are contacted. The neighbors may have complained about a terrible stench coming for the home or the local utility company has cut off the electricity or water to the home.

For some, their care giver or family member has had to report them. Upon discovery, what is found is often shocking: things piled from floor to ceiling. Doors and windows are blocked. The stove, refrigerator, bathtubs and sinks are unusable because they are covered by piles of clutter.

The hoarder has created a maze in their home, as their nest. They find comfort and solace in having their things around them. They get to point where some tunnel through their belongings to get to one spot in the house to the next. They are no longer able to care for themselves and in many instances have become a danger to themselves.

Symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease and types of mental illness may play a role in the aging senior's behavior. Studies show that many elderly hoarders have been diagnosed with an anxiety or personality disorder.

More on an elder care crisis. Caregiver stress over compulsive hoarding and safety in the home

Pet Scans of individuals identified with compulsive hoarding behaviors show a low activity level in the midline part of the brain. It is believed that this low level of energy affects the "firing" of connections in the brain. The result is difficulties with making decisions and throwing things away.

Aging seniors that suffer from this disorder are usually intelligent individuals that do will do anything not to make a mistake. They are perfectionists to the extreme. To avoid making a mistake, they will choose not to make a decision. The compulsive hoarder has such high standards and fear of failure, that the smallest task that they perform becomes overwhelming and stressful. They emotionally paralyze themselves with the minutiae of everyday tasks.

Compulsive hoarding is increasing as the population is aging. There has been more studies and research done in the past ten year. There is now more known and discovered than was ever known before. Because individuals of this disorder do not think they have a problem, it goes undiagnosed and untreated. In fact, cases are usually discovered by social service agencies or local government agencies before the mental health professionals are aware of a problem.

There is presently a large and growing diverse group of professionals including local health and fire safety services, health care providers, and social service providers looking into this growing problem. Because of the nature of the hidden disorder community police, legal and judicial services as well as public funding sources have joined forces to learn more about the nuances and problems associated with compulsive hoarding.

Treatment at the present time is still being investigated. It is known that such a strong and emotional attachment is placed on their belongings by the individual. Cleaning the environment and removing the debris is ineffective. The aging senior will just fill up the space with more things.

Some medications are prescribed for some of the other mental disorders the aging senior may have such as anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a solution that is being explored. Compulsive hoarders can rationalize everything about the way they live. Unless they see a need to change their living situation, their hoarding will continue.

As the elder care crisis of compulsive hoarding shed's some light on this disorder, science and research are working to improve the treatment. For now, there will be caregiver stress concerning that aging senior and the safety in the home.

Diane Carbo Registered Nurse has more than thirty five years in the nursing field. Her experience as a geriatric care manager, makes her uniquely qualified to help those who want to live out their lives in their own homes. That decision may be made when you are 20, 30, 40 or in fact at any age, with sooner rather than later being ideal. Diane has developed a web site to make people aware of issues and options. You will find extensive helpful information that will be continually updated. Please visit Diane's web site and learn more about aginghomehealthcare.com/compulsive-hoarding.html compulsive hoarding Sign up for "The Caring Advocate" her free newlsetter and take advantage of a complimentary e-course aginghomehealthcare.com/index.html Advocating For Yourself and Others