What can one do about a senior's QVC addiction? My 89 year old mother's house now looks like it's from an episode of Hoarders.

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I know this is an old thread but I hope this will help someone else who Google s and here. you cannot eliminate an addiction. You have to replace it by another addiction.

I suggest you get one of the old movie channels that old people are sure to love such as Fox movie channel, TCM or get TV. Get some special treats and sit down with your hoarder elderly relatives and watch it with them. Try to find an actor or actress that she really did like and then set out to watch as many of his or her films as you can.

Discuss the movie with them what they like what they did not like etc. even if on this phone, try to make it a point to call them after they watch a favourite films so this will fulfill the need for human contact, emotional outlet and attention. There is a slight risk that the person will try to forward the DVDs but at least it is a change for the better. You could then make a bargain with them if they quit shopping on the shopping channels you can buy 2 DVDs per month and maybe a book on the actor that they like.

This will fulfill their void and need to watch TV as well as occupy her/his mind with something intelligent. I hope this helps someone. Then praise them for all the money saved at the end of the month. Of course I am sure you guys have tried explaining budget and bills and $$ stress so just keep positive reinforcement at the end of the month of watching TCM and stating how much money was saved and able to spend on catching up with bills and credit cards.

another thing to do is to get them to the library and get them a library card. Then rent borrow books on their favorite topic whether it be antiques, Mesopotamian culture, interior design, fashion, boats, planes, knitting or even these actors anything to get them reading an occupied and not just watching TV and spending money. you can also rent classic film DVDs for free at the library just make sure to return on time or late fees will accumulate.

I hope this helps. And sorry about the previous post I am new here and did not know where to go to sign up so I had to send something to get the sign up screen.

I apologize for many typos. This should have read:There is a slight risk that the person will try to hoard DVDs.

perhaps can you get them to sign up for an online forum or more relating to their favorite hobby. For instance if they do enjoy watching old films, they can sign up for web sites such as IMDB and discuss with other people. Or a Yahoo group on Old films or their favorite actor or their favorite subject or topic that they read books about. Anything to fill up time, and engage their mind and emotions and all this for free. ;-)

some of you have mentioned pessimistic personality traits and saying that they do not want friends. Those people will find it easy to complain and argue with others in online forums. As long as they do not give out any personal information it can be entertaining to pass the time venting and ranting online. This is viewed as negative by many but it can also be very healing to the person who has a need for such an outlet, so do not judge them for that.

finally, if they do not like old movies, and who doesn't, they can also be entertained by the home Garden television watching other people buy and renovate houses or any Cooking Channel or even the travel channel has some quality programs such as Mysteries at the Museum. Those are back to back so they can really binge watch there. Maybe get them a series on dvd such as Columbo, Bonanza etc old TV series that they might get interesting and binge watch back-to-back.

they do not have to leave home. Now that my suggestion is understood as being replace one addiction with another that does not cost money you might yourself come up with any more ideas besides my suggestions.

Good luck to everyone and I hope you will post your results here. :-)

My mother had over $35,000 in credit card debt from shopping, mostly Macy's and QVC. After 1 1/2 years of encouragement she's down to $17,000. But this past month she started shopping with a vengeance. Spent about $1,000 this month. She has drawers and boxes full of cheap over priced jewelry, scarves, clothes, and handbags - NONE of which she ever uses, or ever will. She orders so much awful tasteless and greasy frozen food from QVC you would think she's doing catering! To the ordinary person she seems with it, but we see everyday that she's becoming more forgetful and living in the past like it was yesterday. She's not so far gone though that she doesn't pay the bare minimum of her credit card bills. She's an addict and we can't stop her. What to do??

Loraine, any way of blocking that channel? Like using Parenting Controls. Or would your Mom start ordering via phone from catalogs?

Shopping is therapy for some people thus the reason for the "hunt" and the "capture" of an item from QVC and stores. Once brought home, the thrill of the hunt is gone. Maybe your Mom could benefit from talk therapy with a therapist.

See if you can find a therapist who takes Medicare and one who is closer to your Mom's age... your Mom probably wouldn't listen to a younger person because "what do they know" :P

Great suggestion. I blocked qvc today. Unfortunately she calls them and asks about black pants and they tell her what they have. She orders that way. It's a challenge!