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How Should You Deal with a Hoarder Relative?

January 25, 2012 By Avery Associates

One of the main problems with compulsive hoarding is that the hoarder often suffers as a result of their collecting habits. This can be more extreme when the hoarder is elderly, as often they are overwhelmed by the amount of possessions that they have.

So what should you do if you find out that an elderly relative is a hoarder?

Firstly, it’s important not to simply start throwing their property away. No matter how dirty or useless it may be, it is their stuff and they are likely to have formed a very strong attachment with it. It is at this point that a house clearance may be necessary.

If you simply start to throw it away, you are likely to cause them great suffering and a painful sense of loss. They are also unlikely to stop their collecting habits just because you get rid of their possessions and they may soon start collecting again.

Aside from that, it can also be dangerous for you to clear the property yourself. Dangerous items which pose a risk to your health may be found within the items, and when it does come to clearing the property then hire a professional house clearance company, preferably one with experience of hoarding.

Professional help should also be sought out as soon as possible. Your relative may be unwilling to seek help, and may resist your attempts to help them, but if you make them realise the danger they are placing others and themselves in then they may be more open to the idea.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be a great place to start. This can really help hoarders to start to change their behaviours and start to see the clutter around them for what it is. It can help them to decide more easily whether to keep an item or not, and can help to limit the dangers posed by their hoarding even if they don’t stop completely.

Remember, you cannot just cure hoarding on its own. You must be understanding and supportive of your relative, but professional help is needed if you want to really improve their quality of life.

We provide clearances for properties affected by hoarding. We operate in Londonn, Surrey, but we can clear your hoarding property wherever it is located in the UK.

For confidential advice call Jeffrey Avery on 0800 567 7769

Filed Under: Compulsive Hoarding Tagged With: collecting, compulsive hoarding, relatives

Our House Clearance Services

We provide a full house clearance and property management solution:

  • We clear hoarded houses, regardless how big or how cluttered
  • We clear all types and sizes of property, irrespective of location, or access is restricted or where parking is difficult or not available.
  • We can help avoid water damage by draining the central heating system.
  • We can secure the property and change the locks.
  • We can reinstate the gardens and maintain them whilst the property is empty.
  • We can provide 24 hour security to eliminate the risk of squatting or unlawful occupation.

As well normal house clearances we specialise in clutter clearance and we can clear a hoarded house which may contain years of accumulated possessions, or which have abnormal amounts of general household items, sometimes as a result of compulsive hoarding syndrome.

Equally we can help to clear a property where the occupants were previously unwell and unable to care for themselves or their property which sometimes results in insanitary, dangerous or just plain unpleasant conditions.

More info

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Client Reviews

Apr 1, 2021
by R G on Avery Associates
A great job, well done

My parents had lived in this house since 1961 and accumulated a lot of stuff. Jeffrey put my mind at ease and assured me that he and his team could tackle... Read More

Mar 26, 2021
by Tim and Chris on Avery Associates
Sensitive House Clearance

We're extremely pleased with the house clearance service that Jeffrey provided. This was a daunting and emotionally difficult task for us but Jeffrey ... Read More

Mar 8, 2021
by Jason Sims on Avery Associates
South Coast House Clearance & Document Retrieval

"I would like to thank Jeffrey and everyone at Avery Associates for assisting my dad and me. Following a death in the family, my father had to make last... Read More

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Avery Associates
291 Mitcham Rd
Tooting SW179JQ

Tel: 0800 567 7769 or 0208 640 0044

Services provided throughout London and the Home Counties. View our clearance case studies.


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