Hoarding Disorder Behavioral Pattern – Compulsive hoarding

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Hoarding Disorder – Behavioral pattern

Compulsive hoarding Symptoms, Treatment and Causes

Compulsive hoarding, If you’ve visited your senior loved one recently, and noticed an overabundance of items around the house. Excessive acquisition can be a real problem. Perceived need to save possessions presents itself at ages 11 through 15. It shows in a person’s persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions. Our loved ones fight to keep needless items regardless of their actual value. Intense urge to keep items may cause serious distress when getting rid of those items. It may be wise address the Compulsive hoarding immediately as pretending like everything is A-OK can cause more problems. Excessive stockpiling of seemingly trivial items, often including things as varied as trash, papers, or live animals. All of these can be the sign of something in need of attention.

Is your senior loved one Compulsive hoarding? Do they seem to be collecting an inordinate amount of what most people would consider trash? If so, then they may be suffering from an extremely serious disorder in seniors known as Diogenes Syndrome.

Read on to learn how to recognize Diogenes Syndrome, or hoarding, in your elderly loved one and what to do about it.

What Is Diogenes Syndrome?

Diogenes Syndrome is a disorder characterized by serious self-neglect and hoarding behavior. It is named for the Greek Philosopher Diogenes and is often commonly referred to as senile squalor syndrome. The syndrome is a reaction to stress, and may also be a result of damage to the pre-frontal cortex of the brain.

People with Diogenes Syndrome tend to experience social alienation along with domestic squalor. They may also develop a skin condition due to lack of proper hygiene. Since they tend to avoid others and not seek help, the condition can often go undiagnosed until the poor conditions the individual keeps him or herself in lead to a serious health problem.

What Are The 5 Levels of Hoarding?

Level 1 Hoarder: The Beginning Signs.
Level 2 Hoarder: Clutter Begins to Accumulate.
Level 3 Hoarder: Noticeable Impact on Lifestyle.
Level 4 Hoarder: Severe Clutter and Health Concerns.
Level 5 Hoarder: Extreme Hoarding and Safety Risks.

How Do I Know If My Loved One Has Diogenes Syndrome?

Hoarding is a definite sign of Diogenes Syndrome, but it is important to distinguish between a senior who has a sentimental attachment to collectibles and is disorganized or messy, and one who is suffering from a serious psychiatric disorder.

The conditions that you will find a senior with Diogenes Syndrome living in are unlivable. They may be living more like a homeless person than the relative you normally recognize. In addition, the sufferer is unlikely to ask for help.

In fact, they are more likely to try to get rid of you than to reach out for assistance, and the more you try to help them, the more agitated they are likely to get.

How Can You Treat Someone With Diogenes Syndrome?

There is no specific surefire treatment for Diogenes Syndrome. However, if you know someone who has it, you should get them into an adult care facility as soon as possible. This is almost always the best thing for someone suffering from senile squalor syndrome.

No matter how much they protest, it is a very bad idea to leave someone suffering with this disorder to their own devices. If you do, the unsanitary conditions they are living in will persist and will likely have a very negative effect on their health.

They may not seek treatment and could become gravely ill or even die. The right adult care facility can make sure that they start to live (and then continue to live) in sanitary conditions, and that their needs are taken care of.

It’s important that the facility that cares for your loved one with this disorder understands this condition and how to care for people who have it. These individuals should be given some measure of isolation and have only one caregiver whom they trust working with them.

They should also be allowed to keep desired possessions within reason, and to make sure that no one but the individual touches those possessions. With the right approach and care, seniors with this malady can live relatively satisfying lives.

Key Takeaways

Protecting senior loved ones from Compulsive hoarding requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both environmental and physical factors. By taking proactive steps to create a safe, clean and organized home environment, promoting physical activity, and seeking professional assistance when needed, families can significantly improve the lives of loved ones.

Diane Delaney, Placement Specialist Extraordinaire

Diane Delaney, Golden Placement Services — Diane Delaney

Delaney is the founder of Golden Placement Services. She began this business with a healthy dose of compassion for helping families make educated decisions regarding senior placement. Focused to relieve stress in uncertain senior housing crucial moments. Diane brings about loving change of lifestyle with grace. Additionally, Diane is an accomplished executive manager, Director of Operations in senior housing. Emphatically, she enjoys sharing her experience. Diane enjoys writing about the full spectrum of the transition process for seniors and family members. Read more from Senior Placement Specialist Diane: Ultimate Senior Living Resource Guide >>

Stephanie Brubaker, Senior Placement Specialist

Stephanie - Helping you find a Place for Mom — Stephanie Brubaker

steph.goldenplacements@gmail.com | 971-263-8533 Stephanie got her start working as an administrator for Golden Placement Services. It served her well as she worked in sales and marketing while living in Austin, TX. Now that she is back in Oregon she’s excited to take the plunge and work alongside the Golden Girls as a placement specialist. She feels lucky to receive her training from experienced mentors, her mother Diane. Stephanie looks forward to being a part of the family whose main objective is to help your family through senior housing options with empathy, integrity, and compassion.