About Us
What is hoarding?
- Hoarding is a condition where individuals obsessively collect personal items or trash due to a perceived need to keep them. There are 5 stages of hoarding, with progressive stages being more severe than the previous. The least severe stage involves light clutter and few indicators, while the most severe stage involves fire hazards, no electricity or running water, and accumulated human and animal feces. Hoarding can have emotional, physical, financial, and legal consequences for the hoarder and those around them. Proper understanding and intervention can help individuals suffering from hoarding.
5 Stages of Hoarding
- The 5 stages of hoarding are:
- Level 1: The Least Severe Level with Few Indicators
- Level 2: Noticeable Object Collection and Embarrassment with Visitors
- Level 3: Odors, Poor Hygiene, and Narrowed Hallways
- Level 4: Structural Damage, Sewage Issues, and Unusable Rooms
- Level 5: Fire Hazards, No Electricity or Running Water and Accumulated Human Feces
Processes of the De-Hoard
- Conversations on the end goal and areas to prioritize.
- As much as possible, clients should try as much as possible to take out things of value - which sometimes is near impossible - we recommend making a list.
- Trash removal - large items first, reducing and reusing as many bags, and boxes on site or brought in as possible.
- Sorting like items together first into bins and boxes, and most times needing a second sorting into taped and labeled boxes or bins of the client's choosing.
- During the sort, many items will be assessed for donation worthy based on our knowledge of what is donatable.
- Cleaning of the entire home.
