Hoarding & Older Adults

New research indicates that hoarding behavior among the elderly becomes more severe with age. However, a proven link between hoarding and depression has shed light on an effective way to put a stop to this frustrating and harmful behavior.

Anxiety disorders common among the elderly include general anxiety, hoarding and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anxiety can be a normal reaction to stress, but when it negatively impacts daily life, it crosses over into a serious medical disorder.

The task of getting an elderly relative out of a cluttered, filthy, unsafe home is never easy. Here are some tips for caregivers and family to make the process more successful.

Hoarding is an extreme “collecting” behavior seen in some people who have Alzheimer's disease and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Fortunately, there are some strategies that caregivers and family members can use to help manage these behaviors.

The Caregiver Forum is filled with stories of demanding elderly parents, personality changes, hallucinations and temper tantrums. Fellow caregivers share their advice on dealing with an aging loved one’s personality changes and difficult behaviors.