Choosing a New Place to Call Home

Hoarding is a serious concern, and it is something that can affect many people who are elderly. You may not even discover that your loved one has the symptoms of hoarding until it is time to move him or her to an assisted living facility. In other cases, you might realize that your loved one has hoarding symptoms when you decide to move him or her.

Understanding Hoarding

Hoarding comes with a lot of anxiety associated with throwing items away and getting rid of possessions. The process of cleaning up involves more than renting dumpsters. It's also about facing the emotional issues involved.

For many people who are elderly, loss can cut deeply. They may struggle with many of their feelings in the wake of losing a spouse or child, and it can be difficult to get rid of the items in their home. They may build an emotional connection with those things.

Steps for Moving Your Loved One into Assisted Living

Hoarding can be quite dangerous if it is not managed. If you realize that your loved one exhibits hoarding symptoms, you may need to move him or her to an assisted living facility so their symptoms can be more easily managed. It also ensures they live in a clean, safe environment.

When living space is not available, people with hoarding tendencies may stack items. You may need to hire somebody to come in and clean the area so that you can safely move your loved one out. The stacks of items can fall, leading to injury and even death for somebody who lives alone.

People who hoard may also not have access to necessary appliances, like a heater or stove. This means you may need to have a junk removal service come in and remove the items before you can move important items to the assisted living home.

Hoarding can also lead to hazardous material. If you find out that your loved one has been hoarding hazardous material, it may affirm your decision to move your loved one to assisted living for more effective monitoring of their health and living conditions. To deal with hazardous materials, you may need to hire a cleaning company to complete the move.

Inform the Assisted Living Facility

An assisted living facility can provide a lot of services for a loved one who may be contending with hoarding symptoms. If you suspect your loved one is hoarding, you may need to talk with a member of the team at the facility.