The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging recently released a report entitled, The Consequences of Clutter: How Hoarding Disorder Affects America’s Older Adults, First Responders, and Their Communities.

About Hoarding Disorder (HD)

According to the report, Hoarding disorder (HD) is a chronic and progressive condition that leads people to accumulate more objects than their homes can accommodate. It affects as many as 14 million people in the United States, with one estimate stating it affects around two percent of the population. Hoarding prevalence and severity increases with age, affecting roughly six percent of adults over the age of 70.

Challenges of Addressing HD

It’s not uncommon for senior services providers to find themselves grappling with how to best address these concerns. This issue is multifaceted, touching things like resident and tenant rights, fire safety, as well as safety of the senior and others in their living setting.

The report seeks to identify causes of hoarding disorder and the impact of HD on seniors. It also identifies several suggested approaches to treating and managing HD, as well as providing several recommendations for further consideration by public officials.

Recommendations fall into the following categories:

• Increasing support and education for people with HD, local communities, providers, and families
• Improving tracking, data collection, and research related to HD
• Expanding recognition of HD and people living with the condition