The word “hoarding” probably evokes a particular image, made more common by shows like Hoarders that highlight extreme examples. In reality, not all hoarders have rooms full of items piled high to the ceiling.
The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (now, there’s a relatable title!) has classified hoarding behavior into five levels on their Clutter-Hoarding Scale.Level 1 Hoarding
At Level 1, a home is not pristine, but the space is still easily accessible and sanitary. There is clutter, but no concern for safety. Most, if not all of us, have been in Level 1. Many people spend most of their time in this stage.
Here are the defining characteristics of this level:
At Level 2, the home is still very livable, but there’s more evidence of disarray. The home is in need of cleaning and may be starting to overwhelm the residents. The hygiene level isn’t optimal.
Most of us bounce between Level 1 and Level 2. However, here are the more defining characteristics of Level 2:
Level 3 is considered the turning point between manageable household disorganization and a more serious issue. Level 3 homes show extreme disorganization and indicate hoarding behavior.
Here are the defining characteristics of this level:
Level 3 households should consider hiring outside help. Although, it’s still possible to get it under control with a concerted effort from the whole family
At Level 4, the home shows excessive clutter.Those living in Level 4 conditions need professional help. At this level, part of getting help includes professional cleaning to transform the house into a safe, hygienic space where people can thrive. Mental health counselors and social workers may also step in to help residents change their habits.
Here are the defining characteristics of this level:
Level 5 is the highest level of hoarding behavior. Level 5 homes are alarmingly hazardous.
They require professionals with safety equipment and training to clean.
Here are the defining characteristics of this level:
If you or someone you know is struggling with these levels of hoarding we are here to help.
You can find more information at https://biooneorange.com/ or contact us at (714) 397-8375
Living with someone who hoards can be an incredibly chaotic and difficult experience. Hoarding often leads to disorganization, clutter, and extreme stress for both the person suffering from the disorder and their loved ones. If you know someone struggling with hoarding behaviors, it’s important to understand that helping them manage the disorder requires patience and understanding. Here are a few tips for helping someone with hoarding behaviors more effectively.
Helping someone who hoards can be a chaotic and overwhelming experience. However, some tips can help to make the process more manageable:
Make sure that the person you are helping understands what you are willing and able to do, and set realistic goals for the amount of progress that can be made.
Let the person know that you are there to listen and understand. Encourage them to seek professional help or join a support group if possible.
Make sure that the home is clean and clutter-free, as this can help reduce stress levels and create an atmosphere of motivation. Additionally, try to focus on the positive aspects of the situation, such as the opportunity to declutter and organize. Be sure to take care of yourself during this process!
Helping someone with hoarding can be emotionally draining, so make sure to take time for yourself and ask for help when needed. Following these tips can help make the experience more manageable for you and the person you are helping.
Hoarding disorder is a serious mental illness that can profoundly impact a person's life. While hoarders may feel a strong attachment to their belongings, the reality is that their possessions are often taking over their homes and putting their health and safety at risk. For family and friends, it can be difficult to watch a loved one struggle with a hoarding disorder, but it is important to resist the urge to clean up their home for them.
Just cleaning will not solve the underlying problem and may only worsen things. Instead, try to provide support and understanding. Encourage them to seek professional help, and offer to help them declutter their home in a respectful and non-judgmental way. People struggling with hoarding often need support to overcome this condition.
If you know someone struggling with hoarding, you may feel helpless and unsure how to best help them. Bio-One of Orang can work with your loved one to safely and respectfully clean up their home. Our team of professionals has the training and experience necessary to handle even the most challenging hoarding cases. We will work with your loved one to clean up their home and help them get their life back on track! Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
Bio-One of Orange offers solutions to life's most challenging and unexpected situations. We guarantee a quick response time, so you can rest assured that help is always on the way. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Bio-One prides itself on providing top-quality service and support. If you're facing a difficult situation, don't hesitate to contact the Bio-One team. We're prepared to help you every step of the way, all the time.
Bio-One of Orange is a family-owned company that takes pride in providing quality care for residents throughout California’s Southern region. From Aliso Viejo to Costa Mesa and beyond. As members of the Orange Chamber of Commerce, our certified, professional hoarding cleaners are ready to help. Bio-One of Orange is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Contact us at 714-397-8375.
The term “hoarding” is frequently misused. People often use the word to condemn themselves—or their family members—for accumulating items like clothes and collectibles gratuitously. Though true hoarders share this tendency, it’s a far cry from a medical definition.
Hoarding compels people to compile and preserve excessive amounts of clutter that have no practical value. Hoarders will grow so attached to these items— which often include dirty dishes, trash and rotten food—that discarding them causes severe emotional trauma. It is one of the most poorly understood and stigmatized disorders in America, and one of the most difficult to treat. Hoarding is more widespread than you may know.
According to the Washington Post, hoarding affects 19 million Americans. That equates to about 6 percent of the population. The scope of the problem may seem surprising, but only because hoarders tend to keep their illness private. Unless clutter accumulates outside the home, the disorder can remain a secret for years.
Though the disorder has profound psychological, financial and health consequences for the hoarder, it also jeopardizes the safety of neighbors. We’ve broken down the dangers associated with hoarding below.
The aggregation of clutter in hoarding situations creates unlivable spaces. Unfortunately, it also makes them highly combustible. Wall-to-wall piles of trash pervade homes, blocking exits and entrances that residents and first responders need to access during an emergency. Without any open space to mitigate a fire, these homes can burn really quickly.
Because stoves, fireplaces and heating lamps are often filled and covered with trash, the risk of an outbreak rises significantly. Moreover, vermin that breed in these unsanitary environments can chew on electrical wiring in the wall, which may cause a fire.
Accumulated clutter often sits unattended, gathering blankets of dust that can affect air quality. Moreover, rotten food and waste produce heavy odors and release ammonia, which can lead to respiratory problems. Air circulation will diminish as oxygen vents are blocked, leading to a dangerous rise in carbon dioxide.
Unfortunately, this situation gives mold and mildew the opportunity to grow and multiply quickly, releasing spores into the living space at an alarming rate. Because the air quality in these homes is so noxious, hoarding cleanup crews like Bio-One must wear respirators when they enter.
The sheer enormity of hoarding clutter can place stress on the home’s foundations. As the volume of items increases, so does the overall weight of the lode. Flooring has been known to collapse in these situations.
Moreover, residents and maintenance workers have trouble accessing critical piping lines and electrical circuits inside and outside the home. Plumbing, gas and power issues can ensue, creating unsanitary living conditions and fire hazards.
Pests, such as rats, cockroaches, mice and fleas, thrive in hoarding situations. They are drawn to heaping mounds of clutter where they can feed and breed without being disturbed. Unsanitary living spaces, rotting food and trash attract them to the home, where they’ll likely stay as an infestation develops.
In animal hoarding situations, waste and decomposing carcasses exacerbates the problem. Bacteria and airborne pathogens will pervade the home, spreading dangerous diseases like hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.
Hoarders will often stack their items on top of one another until their homes are filled with small mountains of clutter and trash. Heavy boxes, furniture and hardware can fall on top of residents and cause serious physical damage. The lack of navigable living space results in narrow, clutter-free passageways. But they are often rife with tripping hazards that can lead to broken ankles, noses and more.
Sharp items, like knives, needles and broken glass may also be littered in this space. One false step and the resident can find themselves nursing a gushing wound that becomes infected.
For hoarders, living appliances like ovens, beds and bathtubs quickly become storage vessels. This curtailment of basic living appliances creates a series of problems for residents: Combustibles near stoves can catch fire; health and hygiene deteriorate for lack of running water; and clutter on beds force homeowners to sleep on the ground, removing their access to quality sleep.
Water, gas and electricity to the home will shut off as bills—lost in a sea of trash—go unpaid. All the while, the compilation of clutter will continue to grow unabated.
Poor living conditions in hoarding situations are deleterious to the homeowner’s mental health. Studies show that the brain responds negatively to claustrophobic and disorganized living spaces, overwhelming the mind, creating stress and increasing anxiety.
Given the magnitude of disarray in homes affected by hoarding, the effects on the mind are exacerbated. Most hoarders already suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and are at risk for loneliness, depression and psychosis.
Bio-One can help you if hoarding affects your life. Our technicians are experts at removing hazards, disinfecting property and restoring homes, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need assistance. We’re available to provide you the quality hoarding cleanup services across Orange county.
