In 1998, a study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of hoarding behavior in patients with dementia and characteristics associated with it. The study of 133 dementia patients in a geropsychiatric ward revealed that 22.6% of those patients showed signs of hoarding. The patients showed a higher prevalence of pilfering, hyperphagia, and repetitive behaviors. The study suggested that hoarding behavior is a common and complex symptom in dementia patients (Hwang et al., 1998). Hoarding may develop as a secondary symptom to dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association (2012) estimated that 13% of people over the age of 65 develop dementia; from these, approximately 20% display signs of hoarding behaviors. It is important to note that while hoarding can be found in patients with dementia, hoarding is not a function of dementia (Kim et al., 2001). Hoarding in dementia patients can make it difficult to keep up with the organizing and cleaning that is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This can make it even more challenging for caregivers and family members to provide order in the household or living facility. The burden and stress of hoarding can cause caregivers to feel overwhelmed; which could potentially lead to neglect or abuse by the caregiver. Effects of Hoarding Elders who hoard are more susceptible to self-neglect. Consequences of hoarding include but are not limited to, social isolation, cognitive impairment, and medical complications. The clutter from hoarding can impair basic activities, such as personal hygiene, cooking, cleaning, moving through the house, and sleeping. Quality of life can be significantly impaired. Utilities such as water and electricity could be disconnected. Individuals’ lives can be put at risk in extreme cases. While hoarding can cause severe consequences throughout the span of one’s life, hoarding can have a devastating impact on the geriatric population.
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Older persons who hoard have an increased vulnerability as the severity of hoarding rises. Long periods of hoarding can increase the risk of falls for the elderly. The fear of authorities discovering their home’s condition may result in social isolation. Consequently, needed repairs go untended which often result in hazardous and unsanitary conditions (Kellum, 2012). Additional consequences of hoarding include strained relationships with family members and conflict with neighbors and local authorities. Individuals with severe cases are often involved with legal eviction proceedings. Property damage and buying expenses can also cause severe financial problems for the individuals. Older persons who hoard have more challenges compared to the younger generation of hoarders. When working with elders it is important to keep in mind the concerns and barriers of late life hoarding. An older generation may not be comfortable or familiar with psychiatric treatment. It is imperative to the success of the treatment, that the professional remains patient, understanding, and supportive. The elder may also be limited on family/social support and have a fixed income. This can be difficult when trying to fix the home or relocate the individual. The older person could risk losing their independent living status because of health concerns. These challenges make late life hoarding more problematic when trying to develop solutions. Interventions Although there is no cure for hoarding, there have been interventions and treatments that have shown promising results. Services must be tailored to specific clients because of the extreme variability between those who hoard. While some elders exhibit motivation, awareness, cognitive ability and absence of psychosis, other individuals exhibit dementia, psychosis, denial, and unwillingness to accept the help they desperately need. Diverse strategies must be available because what one client may find helpful, another may find to be ineffective (Kellum, 2012). Aaron Beck developed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) …show more content…
The professionals work with mental health specialists to guarantee that the individual’s mental health needs are being taken into consideration. Furthermore, agencies have teamed together in several jurisdictions to make sure all the individual’s needs are met (Kellum, 2013). For example, if the case requires Adult Protective Services, the focus is not only on the safety and cleanup of the property but also the needs of the individual are planned for. Regardless of the services provided, the most important part of the treatment is the person. It is essential, during all parts of the intervention that the individual feels supported and
Older persons who hoard have an increased vulnerability as the severity of hoarding rises. Long periods of hoarding can increase the risk of falls for the elderly. The fear of authorities discovering their home’s condition may result in social isolation. Consequently, needed repairs go untended which often result in hazardous and unsanitary conditions (Kellum, 2012). Additional consequences of hoarding include strained relationships with family members and conflict with neighbors and local authorities. Individuals with severe cases are often involved with legal eviction proceedings. Property damage and buying expenses can also cause severe financial problems for the individuals. Older persons who hoard have more challenges compared to the younger generation of hoarders. When working with elders it is important to keep in mind the concerns and barriers of late life hoarding. An older generation may not be comfortable or familiar with psychiatric treatment. It is imperative to the success of the treatment, that the professional remains patient, understanding, and supportive. The elder may also be limited on family/social support and have a fixed income. This can be difficult when trying to fix the home or relocate the individual. The older person could risk losing their independent living status because of health concerns. These challenges make late life hoarding more problematic when trying to develop solutions. Interventions Although there is no cure for hoarding, there have been interventions and treatments that have shown promising results. Services must be tailored to specific clients because of the extreme variability between those who hoard. While some elders exhibit motivation, awareness, cognitive ability and absence of psychosis, other individuals exhibit dementia, psychosis, denial, and unwillingness to accept the help they desperately need. Diverse strategies must be available because what one client may find helpful, another may find to be ineffective (Kellum, 2012). Aaron Beck developed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) …show more content…
The professionals work with mental health specialists to guarantee that the individual’s mental health needs are being taken into consideration. Furthermore, agencies have teamed together in several jurisdictions to make sure all the individual’s needs are met (Kellum, 2013). For example, if the case requires Adult Protective Services, the focus is not only on the safety and cleanup of the property but also the needs of the individual are planned for. Regardless of the services provided, the most important part of the treatment is the person. It is essential, during all parts of the intervention that the individual feels supported and