The consequences of clutter

Hoarding disorder (HD) is a chronic and progressive condition that leads people to accumulate more objects than their homes can accommodate. It affects as many as 14 million people in the United States, with one estimate stating it affects around two percent of the population.

Hoarding prevalence and severity increase with age, affecting roughly six percent of adults over the age of 70. As Americans grow older, the disproportionate prevalence of HD among older adults has national implications.

The number of older adults in the United States is expected to increase from roughly 54 million in 2019 to over 94 million in 2060. Because HD disproportionately impacts older adults, experts worry that aging “could fuel a rise in hoarding in the coming decades.”

Communities throughout the United States are already grappling with HD. Popular media brought attention to HD throughout the 2010s, frequently by highlighting the most extreme cases of the condition. However, those media often focused on forced cleanouts as a solution, which can be simplistic and sometimes harmful.

In reality, HD is a complex mental health condition that requires effective treatment, which can sometimes take years. Many people with HD will continue to struggle with clutter even after receiving treatment. That complexity speaks to the need for a national, coordinated response to HD, especially as America ages.

Follow the link below to learn more about the issues associated with HD including quality of life, physical danger, social isolation, and eviction, as well as challenges to emergency responders, public health, and social services.

Source:

The Consequences of Clutter: How Hoarding Disorder Affects America’s Older Adults, First Responders, and Their Communities

U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

July 2024