how not to forget your trash pick up

Posted on: 27 May 2016

Hoarding has recently received a lot of public attention due to reality shows that capitalize on the sheer extremes of the living conditions experienced by people with this disorder. However, life as a hoarder is anything but entertaining for families and friends of hoarders who worry about their loved one's health and safety. According to the American Psychiatric Association, approximately two to five percent of the population is afflicted with some type of hoarding behavior, which means that you are certainly not alone in your concerns. Once your loved one has got the help they need to accept their problem with hoarding, use these strategies to ease the process of cleaning up their home.

Focus on Safety

Hoarders are usually aware of how their behavior is viewed by society, so it is not helpful to make comments that could make your loved one feel judged such as saying, "let's clean up this mess." Remember, that your loved one has saved these items for a reason. Instead, talk to your loved one about ways that you can make the home safer, such as using a dumpster rental to dispose of broken furniture and other debris.

Create an Action Plan

Now that your loved one is ready to begin the process of cleaning up, it is important to avoid a delay that could cause them to change their mind. Begin by establishing a plan for action that includes finding a dumpster for rent from a company like Contractors Disposal Inc, deciding which areas to start with first and securing storage options for extra belongings. Then, begin working through the list one item at a time so that your loved one never feels overwhelmed.

Be Patient Throughout the Process

When hoarding has reached severe levels, it can take some time to get everything cleaned up. For this reason, you will want to make sure that services such as your dumpster rental have flexible time lines that can be extended as needed. This way, you can make sure your loved one has the time they need to deal with their emotions as they sort through their belongings.

After the big cleanup, continue to support your loved one by visiting often and helping them stay organized. While hoarding can occur due to a variety of reasons, keep in mind that your loved one may be more vulnerable to falling back into old patterns during stressful times. By being there to help them clean up from start to finish, you can be certain that they will turn to you if they need help with their hoarding again.