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We live in a day and age where mental health issues and stress run rampant. Whether you believe it is the modern urban lifestyle to blame or poor individual choices, America’s adults and seniors need help.
Research reveals that at least 23% of American adults suffered from some sort of mental illness in 2023. To put things into perspective, that would amount to 60 million US citizens. While issues like depression and anxiety get their fair share of the spotlight, one deep-seated problem is barely acknowledged.
problem refers to hoarding. Delicate as the subject may be, we must understand that America is suffering from a long-standing issue. Shocking studies show that the US population, especially its older adults, are secret hoarders. An estimated 6.2% of the senior population has been accumulating stuff without proportion.
Concerning and tragic, this is an issue that needs to be addressed at the earliest. Has social isolation compelled our aging population to find solace in fleeting objects? This article will zoom into this problem, its underlying causes, and how houses are impacted.
The Issue of Hoarding Increases As America Ages
We have briefly introduced America’s hoarding issue previously. It's time to take a closer look. Hoarding tendencies exist in roughly 2.6% of the American population.
Can you imagine around 8 million people living with a crippling need to gather stuff? Now, hoarding was categorized as a psychiatric issue only in 2013. It is the compulsive desire to accumulate objects and not part with them.
What many people struggle to understand is that hoarding is not similar to sentimental attachment. Parting with certain belongings is difficult for us all. A person who hoards feels this way about all their possessions.
The aging factor only aggravates the problem. Why is that so? Some common reasons include loneliness and mental health issues. Cases of hoarding were the most grievous in areas with few to no mental health providers.
Given that around 160 million Americans live in such ‘scarce’ places, things begin to make more sense. This means the US not only has the problem of hoarding to handle but also a growing number of untreated mental health cases.
More Than Just an Unsightly Problem
If you’ve binge-watched shows like ‘How Clean is Your House?,’ you know how serious hoarding can get. Do hoarder houses look like a mess? Yes, but that's not the only problem.
Hoarding tendencies essentially put an individual’s declining mental state on display. Humans have a natural inclination towards hygiene and cleanliness even if the same is driven by disgust.
Most hoarders are not proud of the conditions they may have created. Even so, they feel trapped and helpless. Time seems to fly by and the unsightly issue turns into a ghastly one. Let's look at how hoarding impacts the life of the one who hoards and others -
A house full of stuff can make it extremely difficult to move about. This creates the risk of injuries.
Hoarders may experience a deep sense of isolation, shame, and loneliness.
Familial and work relationships may be negatively impacted.
There may be legal issues involved in the form of loss of child custody or eviction.
Daily activities like bathing and cooking may become challenging.
If pets are involved, there’s the risk of being prosecuted under animal cruelty laws.
How Are Hoarder Houses Characterized?
We’ve briefly touched upon the different types of struggles and issues hoarding generates. Let's look at the most common features characterizing hoarder houses -
Clutter - Stuff may be lying around just about everywhere. The disorganized pile of items may include books, utensils, clothes, and whatnot. Cramped rooms may be unfit for intended use.
Unhygienic conditions - It's not uncommon to find piles of trash and rotting food in hoarder houses. They become breeding grounds for pests and rodents, thereby rendering the house unsanitary.
Inaccessible areas - Parts of the property like basements, hallways, and attics may be entirely blocked due to stuff.
Conflicts - Hoarders seldom invite others to their homes. However, if someone finds out, there may be relationship issues and conflicts. This problem only escalates if the person attempts to help the one who hoards.
Ways to Deal with a Hoarder House
Discovering a hoarder house for the first time can be a shock to one’s system. The issue needs to be dealt with and in most cases, there are essentially two ways to do so.
Selling the Property
It's natural to wonder whether the process of cleaning the house should come before selling. Usually, one must make their property attractive to the buyer first.
This may be a requirement even for hoarder houses. Thankfully, it's possible to find agents who will buy the property as it is. According to John Buys Bay Area Houses, you won't have to deal with the hassle of repairs, cleanup, inspection, or commissions.
It's important to remember that the selling price may be quite low in such cases. It is still an ideal option for those finding it too overwhelming to deal with the hoarder’s belongings.
Decluttering and Deep Cleaning
Another option available to those who wish to help the hoarder is deep cleaning. This one is ideal in cases where the family intends to reside within the property again.
It is important to note here that one must avoid embarking on such a mammoth task alone. Hoarder houses are generally full of unbelievable surprises. Cleaning them is best left to the professionals.
The experts will carefully remove all the stuff, disinfect surfaces, and deal with pests or hazardous materials. The hoarder can be offered professional help to overcome their deep psychological reasons for such behavior.
We understand that the issue at hand can indeed be a delicate and sensitive one. However, it needs to be addressed at the earliest. If you suspect someone you love may have a hoarding problem, gently bring the issue to light and encourage them to seek help.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the identifiable symptoms of hoarding include -
Buying and storing too many items
Getting upset at the thought of parting with stuff
Finding it difficult to plan or organize
Delaying decisions
Now you know what signs to look for. Americans, especially aged ones, are hurting and hoarding is simply a fallout. Let's join hands to build communities where every citizen feels like they belong.
