Hoarding is a complex issue that affects people across age, socioeconomic, and racial lines. It is not only an issue that affects the individual, but also the family and community.
Many people who hoard choose not to seek treatment and only come to the attention of public agencies when they are considered older adults (60 and older in Massachusetts). The person who hoards is not seeking treatment, but rather has been discovered by a mandated reporter or neighbor often due to a fall, an incident such as a fire or odors emanating from their home. Once “discovered” the very private issue that they have fought so hard to hide quickly becomes public. The individual is thrown into a swirl of decisions and a multitude of people approaching them. This can lead to anxiety, frustration and fear causing many people who hoard to shut down and refuse help. Unfortunately this reaction often leads to more involvement from protective services, city officials and eventually the courts.
Download Best Practice Hoarding Guide Final (pdf, 1.7 Meg)
Contents
- What Is Hoarding
- How Does It Affect A Community
- Hoarding Intervention Decision Tree
- Early Intervention
- Peer Support Group Models
- How To Form And Facilitate A Support Group
- Crisis Intervention Work
- Resources
Tools & Sample Forms
- Sample Referral Tool
- Sample Assessment Tool
- Clutter Imaging Rating Scale
- Sample Consent for Services Tool
- Sample Service Plan
- Multi-disciplinary Hoard Risk Assessment
- Sample Volunteer Welcome Sheet
- Sample Volunteer Coordinator Agreement
- Sample Volunteer Visit Report
- Sample Volunteer Donate/ Discard Report