How to Help a Loved One with Hoarding Cleanup in Midland

You may know someone with a hoarding disorder, and the effects of this disease can be heartbreaking for the entire family. It’s estimated that 2.6% of the population is living with hoarding disorder, with much of that number affecting individuals over the age of 60. Our home state ranks in the middle of the pack, with 25.5% of Michiganites self-identifying as hoarders.

What do these stats really mean? For loved ones struggling with the disorder, it means compassion, understanding, and a plan of action are needed for recovery. And fortunately, our Midland restoration service experts are here to help with a few tips.

Find a Mental Health Professional to Assist

Believe it or not, a cleaning strategy isn’t the first step you should take in supporting a loved one diagnosed with compulsive hoarding. Cleaning up the clutter is only half that battle and won’t help the person recover completely. After all, someone with hoarding disorder is likely dealing with a lot mentally and emotionally.

If you begin the cleanup process without having a qualified mental health professional on hand, it could do more harm than good. So, the first course of action is to encourage your loved one to seek help for the disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapists (CBTs), clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and/or social workers are usually consulted to aid in treatment.

Create a Hoarding Cleaning Checklist

Designing a cleaning strategy for hoarding disorder won’t look like your typical cleaning and decluttering routine. You’ll not only deal with large furniture and piles of miscellaneous items but, potentially, human and animal waste, hazardous material, and bodily fluids. Calling a professional hoarding cleaning specialist is the safest route when tackling a biohazard.

A hoarding cleaning checklist could look something like this:

• Wear/purchase personal protective equipment – You never know what you’ll find in the home of someone living with hoarding disorder. Safety is paramount, so having the proper protective gear will keep you safe and prevent the spread of any bacteria.
• Designate a sorting area outside – Before you begin cleaning, you’ll need to remove waste and organize personal belongings. Create a sorting area outside where your loved one can begin deciding what to keep, donate, or discard. This process may be difficult for them initially, but sorting will go much faster once they get more comfortable.
• Start with simple tasks – This entire process will be extremely overwhelming for your family member, so it’s best to start with simple tasks like tackling the bathroom first. This space will likely have very few sentimental items, making sorting easier.
• Remove trash – What most people with no history of hoarding disorder would consider trash may be a personal possession for an individual with compulsive hoarding. While it’s painful to watch your family member struggle to let go of old paper plates or used napkins, removing trash from the home will give you a better idea of the extent of the property damage. But remember, patience is key. You don’t want to rush your loved one into throwing away things. This approach may completely upend the recovery process if you’re not careful.
• Temporarily move large furniture – Large furniture should be moved to your sorting area for safekeeping and cleaning later. Clearing out bulky furniture and appliances can also provide some clarity on the amount of damage our restoration service professionals can assist with.

Have Compassion for the Situation

Hoarding disorder has only been recognized as a psychiatric disorder since 2013. In the last decade, treatment has improved, but there’s still much work to be done in understanding the disorder and how family members can adequately support a loved one diagnosed with hoarding. A recent pilot study in 2020 looked at compassion-focused therapy (CFT) as a feasible follow-up treatment to CBT.

Keep in mind that nothing about this situation is easy or simple for a loved one living with hoarding disorder. So, showing some compassion for their willingness to seek help will go a long way in the recovery process.

Contact a Professional Hoarding Cleaning Specialist for Help

Rarely are complex circumstances like hoarding completed without the help of a qualified and compassionate team. Our hoarding cleaning and restoration service specialists at ServiceMaster Restoration by FUSON are here to support you and your family through the cleanup and repair process. We understand this is a delicate situation for all parties, and we assist you discreetly and respectfully.