On September 17, Sen. Bob Casey (D -PA ) sent letters to the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) outlining the effects of hoarding disorder (HD) on individuals and communities and urging both agencies to take action “to address HD in America.”

Both letters cite research from  The Consequences of Clutter, a Senate Special Committee on Aging majority staff report released in July 2024 that incorporates feedback to a March 2024 Senate Special Committee on Aging request for information  (RFI) on hoarding. LeadingAge coordinated a response to that RFI based on feedback from members, including housing providers and other service providers in the community.

The report and other research cited in Sen. Casey’s letter shed light on the stigma, isolation, and physical health dangers associated with hoarding. Hoarding disorder is approximately three times more prevalent among older adults than in younger people, making this a uniquely aging challenge.

Chairman Casey encouraged both HHS and HUD to review the report and consider recommendations to improve services for and protection of people with hoarding disorder.  “Because HD disproportionately impacts older adults, families and communities throughout the United States can expect to see an uptick in hoarding
behavior. The federal government must be prepared to respond,” he writes.

Additional details can be found in Chairman Casey’s press release urging the Biden Administration to do more to address hoarding disorder among older adults.