It's not clear what causes hoarding disorder. Hoarding behavior has many internal and external causes including:

• Biological –research links to genetic factors; can start in childhood (although hoarding is more common with older adults)
• Psychological – connected to unresolved trauma and loss
• Social – social isolation & loss of social support can worsen hoarding behavior 

Hoarding results in:

• Significant emotional distress or physical impairment 
• Emotional distress to those close to the person who is hoarding
• Financial strain
• Living spaces that cannot be used for their intended purposes 
• Multiple health and safety issues
• Home may be deemed unfit for habitation and could result in eviction or other action from local authorities.

What to do and NOT do to help someone who is hoarding.

DON'T

• Force the person to clean or get rid of their possessions.  It needs to be a process and at their own will.
  • Statistics show that a forced clean out can make the situation worse. The person is re-traumatized by the clean out and therefore may hoard worse than they did before the clean out. 

DO

• Build trust and maintain trust at all times.
• Listen carefully to the person's fears and concerns; set aside your agenda.
• Have a conversation if you have concerns, not a judgmental or defensive argument.
• Create a goal together or work towards a goal that the person hoarding has for themselves.
• Encourage the person to seek therapy from a professional therapist. Family should take on the role of supporter and encourager, not therapist.
• Identify existing supports.
• Utilize community resources.
• Cultivate solutions through collaboration

For more information about hoarding or how to support a person who hoards, contact:

• Eau Claire County Department of Human Services: 715-839-7118
  • Elder abuse or self-neglect
  • Mental health case management
• Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eau Claire County: 715-839-4735
  • Community Resources
• Eau Claire City-County Health Department: 715-839-4718
  • Health and safety investigations