Unfortunately hoarding is a mental disease. If the person is hoarding in their old age, it is probably not because they just don't know how to handle too much stuff. Helping them get rid of their stuff just makes them angrier if they are not first getting mental help. If they don't think they need mental help, or if they have already gone into dementia, it has been my experience that those closest to the person are not useful in ending the cycle. It is better to get a completely disinterested third party to help them unbury themselves. We always hurt the ones we love, as the saying goes. My mom literally saves trash and throws away useful things and then gets mad at us because she believes we are making her get rid of the things she needs. She is very unwell in this matter and I am afraid she will end up on the streets if she doesn't die from sheer anger.