Compulsive hoarding is an ongoing inability to throw away things, or part with possessions according to Mayo Clinic. A person with this condition clings to them because they believe they may be useful in future. However, unlike collecting, the items may be of little, or no objective value at all, and trigger thoughts of reclaiming hoarders lives among their loved ones.
Why the Need to Reclaim Hoarders Lives?
The hoarding habit often creates cramped living conditions with pathways through piles of stuff. These may prevent safe cooking in the kitchen, and even render bathrooms difficult to use. The point may arrive when some intervention becomes unavoidable.
People with the disorder may not perceive a need for reclaiming hoarders lives. However, this may become necessary if they, or the people they live with, find the situation unlivable. This article discusses ways of helping hoarders normalise their lives, and the challenges involved in attempting to do so.
A Short History of the Evolution of Hoarding
Hoarding goes back a long way, even perhaps to Tutankhamen’s tomb. In the Middle Ages, Europeans called hoarders ‘misers’. Mystic writer Dante allocated the fourth level of his circle of hells to greedy souls who either hoarded or overspent. The intimation was they deserved censure, and should have been able to correct their behaviour.
A Totally Hoarded House (© Avery Associates)
Caring and healing professionals generally accept that hoarding is the outward sign of a psychological state. Although at the same time, hoarding is commoner in first-world nations compared to more impoverished ones. And this in turn suggests a sociological dimension to it as well.
However, no matter our point of departure, hoarding results in cluttered, isolated, and lonely people, whom the rest of society still largely does not understand. Whether we believe their state is physical, mental, or spiritual, the time does come when somebody has to try to reclaim a hoarder’s life.
Reclaiming Hoarders’ Lives in High Rise Buildings
Certainly, we do know there appears to be increasing evidence of hoarding in high rise buildings. Could this be because:
- An increasing number of first-world citizens favour this life style …
- Living in high-rise apartments may cause people to withdraw …
- Clearing a hoard is difficult with shared passageways and lifts …
Whatever the case, this hoarding must surely put increased pressure on people sharing lifestyles under relatively cramped conditions. Difficulty clearing an out-of-control hoard, may allow the collection to grow to almost unmanageable proportions. Our picture shows someone trying to assess the problem, and the large amount of combustible clutter to clear.
Avery Associates quietly goes about its business of clearing hoarded living space in Greater London, and the South of England. We support our well-trained teams with input from experienced professionals. They secure anything valuable the cleaners uncover, and report same to the client while awaiting their further instruction.
We agree with Restoration and Remediation that hoarding may increase in high-rise buildings following the Covid era. However, we cannot move in at the request of a landlord or neighbour. Whatever their state, a hoarder has the right to dignity and respect. Therefore, we only take instructions from a person in authority able to prove their good faith.
The Task May Be Hazardous and Require Care
We never know what we may find when reclaiming a hoarder’s life. However, we do know from experience how important a trained-eye is, when sifting through disorganized chaos such as we depict in the previous photo. We make sure our cleaning team has the appropriate protective gear on hand, just in case they encounter an infectious situation.
We can’t overemphasize that house clearances are not for well-meaning, but inexperienced people. The work can be hazardous, and may require special staff wearing personal protective equipment. Therefore we say leave it to the experts to do. This does not have to be us, although we are delighted to assist.
A Hoarded House Finally Cleared (© Avery Associates)
Home Clearances by Avery Associates
PROBATE HOME CLEARANCES
Probate home clearances are almost mandatory in a deceased estate after the occupant dies. That’s because all their substantive possessions must be listed on a schedule with their worth as part of the process of valuing their estate.
GENERAL HOUSE CLEARANCES
Our general house clearances are especially popular where a resident is downsizing, perhaps to move into special care. Let Avery Associates assist if you are in this situation and simply cannot cope.
HOARDER’S HOUSE CLEARANCES
We already wrote about this topic in some detail in the body of this article. We also do garage clear-outs, and garden clearances too. We have been in the chattel valuation and house clearance business for decades.
Avery Associates truly is the household name you can trust. Speak to us today. Learn how a problem shared is a problem halved.
