Clutter is a fact of life for most people.  Some of us would not want others to look in our closets, attics, basements or "junk drawer."  Clutter can come from many reasons.  For some, it is the way they have always lived their lives.  Others are still waiting for that rainy day to deal with it.  Some are very creative and love to have lots of stimulating things around them.  But for others, the clutter of items starts to impede their daily living.  Compulsive collecting leads people to keep irrational feelings attached to items.  This can become dangerous, both to their health and safety.

​     Hoarding problems have been hitting the news more frequently, especially with the television shows sensationalizing this issue.  But the hazards are still there.  Fire hazards may cause the fire department to step in and demand the home be cleaned up.  Children's Aid Society may remove children from a home until the hazards are no longer an issue.  Insurance companies may cancel insurance, putting your mortgage in jeopardy.  The city may demand the home be uncluttered and repairs done or the building will be deemed unsafe to live in or condemned.  If the person has health issues, emergency services may not be able to get a stretcher into the needed area, as maneuvering through the cluttered home becomes impossible.

​     Property damage may occur if there are large amounts of heavy items in areas of the home that exceed the load limits.  Stacks of items may collapse, hurting or trapping a person.  Roof leaks, window leaks, electrical, plumbing and septic issues are not dealt with if not accessible.  Rodents and insects invade areas that are not tended to.  Some people will not allow repair people in the home due to embarrassment of their living situation.  Issues compound on themselves, creating more feelings of helplessness for that person. 

​     When a person's health fails, their cluttered home could be the cause of their medical issues (ie failing lungs due to mold or dust inhalation.)  Whether they have reactions to the mold, feces, bugs or rodents, their home is no longer safe for them to live in.  Even if a person has extra services arranged for themselves  (ie nursing care, Meals on Wheels, housekeeping, CCAC, etc) the home clean-up duties may fall beyond the scope of work any of the usual services provide.  The home needs to be uncluttered and cleaned up.  Learning how to let go of items is a must.  When searching for help, compassion and discretion are key factors to look for.  Dignity should never be sacrificed to get the clutter under control.

10 Most Common Things Hoarded are:

1. ​Paper, especially newspapers
2. The things used in everyday life which don't get put away
3. Excessive recycling materials which don't get recycled
4. Clothing
5. Plastic bags
6. Sentimental things which tell a story of happier times
7. Mechanical things, car parts, electronic equipment and parts, tools, nuts, bolts, screws, building materials
8. Craft supplies, wool, fabric
9. Furniture
10. Animals

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Five percent of the North American population is afflicted with Compulsive Hoarding Disorder - generally people in their 50's - this is over 1.75 million Canadians, three times the incidence of Alzheimer's Disease.  While there is a high prevalence among low-income residents, hoarding cases were found all over the city.

​Sometimes people aren't really hoarders, but their life circumstances change.  They are forced to live in smaller and smaller quarters, and are unwilling to give up the things that have been important to them throughout their lives.  Older adults may hoard because the items have special memories for them (such as the old clothes a dead spouse work, or newspaper clippings.)  They may collect because they consider the items as valuable or the items give them a sense of security.  Sometimes, items give them a sense of feeling loved that they can't find from people.

​Other seniors are afraid of forgetting or losing items.  They are afraid someone will steal from them or take their personal information, so they hold on to everything.  In some cases, they have a mental disorder and they feel a constant need to collect and keep things. 

Hoarding is a mental health issue, although the exact cause of hoarding is not known.  While Compulsive Hoarding Disorder may not be considered a mental illness in some, there is often a genetic component.  Another mental health problem, such as Depression or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can exacerbate a hoarding situation.  Hoarding doesn't happen in isolation.  It isn't just about the stuff.  It's about what else in your life is and isn't working.