Want to know how to help a hoarder move?
Read the article to learn how!
If you have a friend or a family member who is a hoarder, you know how overwhelming it can be to help them move. Hoarding is a disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of items, regardless of their value or usefulness. Hoarders often struggle to part with their belongings, leading to cluttered living spaces and a need to move to a new home.
In this article, we’ll explore the challenges hoarders face while moving and discuss strategies for helping them through the process.
What is Hoarding?
Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition that affects approximately 2-6% of the population. Hoarders have persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. They may accumulate excessive items that clutter their living spaces, making it difficult to use the rooms as intended. Hoarding can lead to serious health and safety hazards, including fire hazards, mold, pest infestations, and increased risk of falls and injuries.
Challenges Hoarders Face While Moving
For hoarders, moving can be an incredibly daunting task. The thought of parting with their possessions can trigger intense feelings of anxiety and distress, making it challenging to begin the process of decluttering. Hoarders may also struggle with decision-making and prioritizing, which can make it difficult to decide what to keep and what to discard.
Moreover, hoarders often feel ashamed of their living spaces and may be hesitant to invite others into their homes. This can make it hard to seek help from family or friends and can lead to social isolation. The thought of having to disclose their hoarding tendencies to strangers, such as professional organizers or movers, can also be anxiety-provoking and cause further resistance to change.
What Should You Not Say to a Hoarder?
When helping a hoarder move, it’s essential to be sensitive to their feelings and avoid saying anything that might trigger feelings of shame, guilt, or defensiveness. Some examples of what not to say to a hoarder include:
“You’re just being lazy.”
“Why can’t you just get rid of this stuff?”
“This is ridiculous. I can’t believe you’ve been living like this.”
“You need to stop this behavior immediately.”
Instead, it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and compassion. Hoarders are often deeply attached to their possessions and may need help in understanding the value of letting go of certain items.
How Do You Help a Hoarder Who Refuses Help?
If your loved one is a hoarder but refuses to seek help, it can be frustrating and overwhelming. It’s essential to approach the situation with patience and empathy. Avoid ultimatums or threats and instead try to understand why the hoarder is resistant to help.
One approach is to focus on building trust and rapport. Hoarders may be hesitant to seek help because they fear judgment or criticism. By offering non-judgmental support, you may be able to build a rapport that can eventually lead to a greater willingness to seek help.
How Do You Convince a Hoarder to Move?
If a hoarder is willing to move but is hesitant to part with their possessions, it can be helpful to take a gradual approach. Rather than pressuring them to declutter all at once, you can suggest a slower process, such as decluttering one room at a time.
Another approach is to help the hoarder understand the value of letting go of certain items. For example, if they have old clothes that no longer fit, you can explain how donating them can benefit others in need. If they have duplicate items, you can suggest selling them or donating them to a charity.
It can also be helpful to involve a professional, such as a therapist or a professional organizer, who has experience working with hoarders. A professional can offer an objective perspective and can help the hoarder develop the skills necessary to part with their possessions.
Create a Moving Strategy
When helping a hoarder move, it’s important to create a moving strategy that takes into account their specific needs and challenges. The following tips can help:
Start Early
Moving can be a time-consuming process, especially when working with a hoarder. It’s important to start the process as early as possible to avoid feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Set Realistic Goals
Setting realistic goals can help the hoarder feel more in control of the process. Rather than trying to declutter an entire room in one day, break the process down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
Create a Sorting System
Creating a sorting system can help the hoarder stay organized and focused. Label boxes or bags with categories such as “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “trash.”
Prioritize Safety
Safety should be a top priority when helping a hoarder move. Clear pathways and make sure the hoarder’s living space is free from hazards such as loose electrical wires or unstable piles of clutter.
Help Remove Clutter Whenever Possible
Removing clutter can be a daunting task for a hoarder. Whenever possible, offer to help remove clutter and sort through possessions. It’s important to be patient and to avoid pressuring the hoarder to get rid of things they’re not ready to part with.
Offer encouragement and support, and acknowledge the progress the hoarder has made. It’s also important to respect the hoarder’s decisions and not to pressure them into parting with possessions they’re not ready to let go of.
Be Patient and Accommodating
When helping a hoarder move, it’s important to be patient and accommodating. Hoarders may need more time and support than others during the moving process. Be understanding of their needs and be willing to adapt to their pace.
It’s also important to be respectful of the hoarder’s space and to avoid making judgments or criticisms about their living conditions. The hoarder may be feeling embarrassed or ashamed, and it’s important to be sensitive to their feelings.
Seek Help from Professionals
In some cases, it may be necessary to seek help from professionals such as therapists, social workers, or professional organizers. These professionals can offer specialized support and guidance and can help the hoarder develop the skills necessary to manage their hoarding tendencies. You can call Gorilla Moves when you need Labour services, Storage services, Commercial moves, and many more!
Help Hoarders Organize Their New Home
Once the hoarder has moved to their new home, it’s important to help them organize their space. Work with the hoarder to develop a system for organizing their possessions and help them find storage solutions that work for them.
Encourage the hoarder to maintain their new space by regularly decluttering and avoiding the accumulation of unnecessary items. Offer support and encouragement as the hoarder adjusts to their new living space.
Final Thoughts
Helping a hoarder move can be a challenging and emotional process, but with patience, compassion, and a strategic approach, it is possible to make the process smoother and less overwhelming. By offering support, respecting the hoarder’s feelings, and seeking professional help when necessary, you can help the hoarder transition to a new living space and manage their hoarding tendencies more effectively.
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FAQs: How to Help a Hoarder Move
What is hoarding?
Hoarding is a disorder characterized by the persistent difficulty in discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. Hoarders typically accumulate a large number of possessions, which can cause significant clutter and disorganization in their living spaces.
What challenges do hoarders face while moving?
Moving can be particularly challenging for hoarders, as they often have difficulty parting with their possessions and may feel overwhelmed by the process of sorting and decluttering. Hoarders may also struggle with feelings of anxiety or distress when faced with the prospect of moving.
What should you not say to a hoarder?
It’s important to avoid making judgments or criticisms about a hoarder’s living conditions or possessions. Statements like “You need to get rid of all this stuff” or “This is a fire hazard” can be hurtful and may cause the hoarder to feel defensive or ashamed.
How do you help a hoarder who refuses help?
It can be challenging to help a hoarder who refuses help, but it’s important to remain patient and supportive. Consider involving a professional, such as a therapist or social worker, who can offer guidance and support. Offer to help in small ways, such as cleaning or organizing, and avoid pressuring the hoarder to make major changes before they’re ready.
How do you convince a hoarder to move?
Convincing a hoarder to move can be difficult, as hoarders often have strong attachments to their possessions and may feel anxious or overwhelmed by the prospect of change. It’s important to approach the conversation with empathy and understanding and to emphasize the benefits of a fresh start in a new space.
How can you create a moving strategy for a hoarder?
Creating a moving strategy for a hoarder involves taking their specific needs and challenges into account. It’s important to start early, set realistic goals, and prioritize safety. Creating a sorting system and seeking help from professionals can also be helpful in creating a successful moving strategy. If you’re looking for a professional to help you move, and want to know how much does a mover cost, just check out our blog page now!
How can you help remove clutter for a hoarder?
Removing clutter can be challenging for hoarders, but offering to help and being patient and supportive can make a significant difference. Start by helping to clear pathways and prioritize safety. Offer to help sort through possessions and suggest categories such as “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “trash.” Be respectful of the hoarder’s feelings and avoid pressuring them to part with possessions they’re not ready to let go of.
How can you help a hoarder organize their new home?
Helping a hoarder organize their new home involves working with them to develop a system for organizing their possessions and finding storage solutions that work for them. Encourage the hoarder to regularly declutter and avoid accumulating unnecessary items. Offer support and encouragement as the hoarder adjusts to their new living space.
