by Cynthia Germain

Recently, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging released a comprehensive report titled “The Consequences of Clutter: How Hoarding Disorder Affects America’s Older Adults, First Responders, and Their Communities.” This report sheds light on the profound impact of hoarding disorder on older Americans and provides recommendations for federal and local agencies to better support those affected.

Hoarding disorder is a complex mental health condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of items, which can create hazardous living conditions. The Senate report, see the full report at https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24785563-senate-aging-committee-report-on-hoarding-disorder-july-2024, highlights that this disorder disproportionately affects older adults, with approximately six percent of individuals over the age of 70 impacted, compared to two percent of the general population. This disorder not only affects the health and safety of those with the disorder but also poses some challenges to their families, their community, and their local government.

The investigation into the hoarding disorder revealed several insights:

• Health and Safety Risks: Hoarding disorder can lead to severe health risks, including increased susceptibility to falls, unsanitary living conditions, and higher fire hazards. These risks are compounded by social isolation, eviction, and homelessness among older adults who hoard.
• Impact on Communities: Local communities face numerous challenges due to hoarding disorder, including public health concerns and increased burdens on emergency responders who navigate cluttered homes during emergencies.
• Need for Federal Support: The report emphasizes the need for enhanced federal support, including expanded access to treatment for hoarding disorder, better training and guidance for local officials, and improved tracking and research to understand the disorder’s prevalence and impact.

The report calls for a coordinated effort to address the hoarding disorder at both the federal and local levels. Key recommendations include increasing the availability of mental health services specifically tailored to address hoarding disorder, providing comprehensive training for those who work directly with older adults, and developing more robust data collection methods to accurately track the prevalence and effects of hoarding disorder on communities.

We can help address these type of mental health challenges among our older residents by raising awareness about this disorder, offering resources, and working with local agencies, health care providers and other community organizations to create a network of support. By understanding the complexities of hoarding disorder and implementing the recommendations from the Senate report, we can help ensure that older adults in Door County live healthier, safer, and more dignified lives.