What Does and Doesn't Work with People Who Hoard
WHAT DOESN'T WORK |
WHAT DOES WORK |
Trying to intervene alone or referring to other organizations |
Working as part of an intervention team |
Expecting that a one-time clean-out will solve the problem |
Understanding that the person who hoards will require long term, periodic intervention |
Being dramatic, distracted, criticizing, nagging, etc. |
Listening without judgment; being planned and steady |
Total clean-out unless necessary to protect health, safety and sanitation; surprise clean-outs |
Skill-Building |
Exaggerating Consequences |
Real Consequences |
Treating only the symptoms |
Treating the issues that are causing the hoarding |
Not having goals or plan of action |
Being prepared-know available community resources |