Erie County Government - Official website of the Erie County, NY Government
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Department of Senior Services
Programs & Services
- Erie County NY Connects helps all ages with long term care resources
- Adult Protective Services/ Elder Abuse
- Advance Health Care Planning, Proxies, and Wishes
- Flu Season is Coming
Swine Flu - Health Insurance
- Health Promotion Resources
- Hoarding and Clutter
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Mental Health Services
- Nutrition & Dining - Stay Fit Dining Program
- Personal Health Record
- Weather/Emergency Planning
Related Links:
For assistance call 858-8526 or email seniorinfo@erie.gov
Health
Hoarding and Clutter
When does it become "too much" stuff?
Revised 12/29/04
Our gratitude goes to the leaders who have established Hoarding Task Forces in their communities (Dane County, WI and New York City, NY and Fairfax, VA) and those who are involved in research to provide assistance that is effective and respectful.
Has keeping things become a problem?
What would you like to do in your home that you cannot do right now?
Causes of Hoarding, collecting useless objects that interfere with living space and safety
- "Things make me feel comfortable & safe."
- "I'm overwhelmed."
- "I have physical limits."
- "I have money problems."
- "It was on sale so I bought 20."
- "I might need it later, and won't be able to afford it."
- "I suffer from mental illness." (depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders)
- Some have problems with thinking (cognitive problems).
- Some don't know where to turn for help.
Why worry?
Saving things...
- Can mean problems if they interfere with living space and safety
- In full houses can cause falls and injury
- Can lead to the loss of friends/entertainment opportunities, loneliness, unhappiness and feeling overwhelmed and ashamed
Hoarding*
- Saving or collecting continues beyond what is needed or usable-even when the house and additional storage space are full
- Value, uniqueness and sentiment is found in "stuff" that others do not find valuable, such as old papers, containers, and food items
- Strong emotional attachments are formed with many items for comfort or safety
- Efforts to stop collecting or to discard things are unsuccessful, leading to a sense of anxiety, emptiness, vulnerability, and more collecting
- The fear of losing things prevents discarding them or gives rise to putting them away, out of sight
- "Stuff" interferes with safe and functional use of the home for sleeping, cooking, bathing and socializing
- Savers may see the "stuff" as acceptable or may be too overwhelmed to respond
- Others see the "stuff" as bothersome and dangerous
* From the Dane County Hoarding Task Force, Madison, WI
Take Action...
- Seek help
- Make a plan for a functional and safe home
- Take small steps and be patient
- When sorting though "stuff", ask
- Have I used this in the past year?
- What is broken or useless?
- What am I keeping for others?
- What do I really treasure?
- What is the cost of keeping things? (insurance, fees, storage space, relationships, emotional pain)
- Avoid getting more possessions
What can I do with my stuff?
- Use it up
- Give it away to family & friends
- Sell it
- Donate it to charity
- Discard it
Signs that Help is Needed
- There's no room to sleep in bed
- Interference with cooking, bathing, and socializing
- Homecare services will not provide services
- Appliances not working
- No water
- No working toilet
- Furnace not working
- Fire code violations
- Someone is threatened with eviction
- Safety and health risks are evident
- Strong odors
- Restricted or blocked exits, heating ducts or electrical outlets
- Clutter spilling out around the house, yard, garage
- Spoiled food
- Animal waste/bugs/rodents are present
Reach Out
- For information.
- For understanding.
- Medications and other treatments.
Hope & Help to Reorganize...
Top 20 Decluttering Tips from New York City Hoarding Task Force
www.cornellaging.org/gem/hoa_bes_pra.html?name1=Best+Practices&type1=2Active
Yellow Pages listings for "organizers" to help with sorting and "letting go"
Cleaning Agencies
Clutterers Anonymous www.clutterersanonymous.net/index.html
Erie County Department of Senior Services Information & Assistance (716) 858-8526
Erie County Department of Health Environmental Field Offices
- Buffalo 961-6800
- Hamburg 649-4225
- Lancaster 683-6487
- Tonawanda 874-1070
SPCA of Erie County Emergency Hotline (716) 559-1780 www.spcaec.com
Building Inspectors - Contact municipal offices listed in phone book government listings
Erie County Adult Protective Services (when a person who hoards is at risk of harm) (716) 858-6877
www.erie.gov/depts/seniorservices/health/adult_protection.asp
More helpful information:
www.cornellaging.org/gem/hoarding_index.html
www.disposophobia.com
www.newsroom.ucla.edu/page.asp?RelNum=5218
Erie County Department of Senior Services
95 Franklin St--13th Floor
Buffalo NY 14202
Phone: 716 858 8526
Fax: 716 858 7259
Email: SeniorInfo@erie.gov
Web site: www.erie.gov
Your information resource from the government of Erie County, New York
