According to the American Psychiatric Association, 2-6% of the U.S. population exhibit a hoarding disorder. This tendency doesn’t suddenly disappear when a person enters a senior living community. So, if you have worked in eldercare for any length of time, you have likely encountered hoarding. But what is hoarding and how does it differ from being a “pack rat?”

This webinar will explore hoarding in senior living by first defining hoarding and identifying the types of hoarding behaviors. The webinar explores the scope of the issue in various levels of senior living including independent, assisted living, SNF, and senior housing. In addition, the reasons why individuals may hoard, health conditions that might lead to hoarding behavior, and the effects (physical, social, and emotional) of hoarding behavior will be examined.

Approaches and signs for recognizing hoarding behavior will be addressed in this webinar. In addition, strategies to address hoarding in senior living will be offered including how to balance interventions with resident rights, standardized assessment to determine the severity of hoarding, the dos and don’ts of communicating with a hoarder, and practices for supporting the hoarder toward a place of health and well-being. Additional evidence-based tips for supporting individuals who don’t think they hoard and for living with someone who is hoarding will be offered.

When dealing with a hoarder, you need to make the most of your encounters. By learning a new way to break down the barriers of hoarders, you can make a difference in their quality of life and teach them, their families, and staff how to help them understand it and how to help them.