Maid Services and Psychologists – How to Help a Hoarder

 

Once all of the clutter has been removed, a hoarder may be faced with a
home that is still unlivable. Professional maid services may be
necessary to help sanitize and restore the home to habitable conditions.
With the help of a psychologist, supportive friends and family, and a
cleaning plan, a hoarder can help overcome immediate threats to their
well being, save their home, and begin the path to leading a healthier
and more balanced lifestyle.

Hoarders often live in unsanitary conditions that pose a serious health
risk, which is especially true of animal hoarders. Cats, dogs, or other
pets can leave feces and urine throughout the home, which can become
trapped under the floor and deeply soak into carpets. Fur, feathers, and
dander can also become trapped in corners or deep into cracks within
the home. Completely removing these traces and damage left from animals
is an intensive job that will require professional cleaning equipment
and products. Many times parts of the home must first be removed, such
as floorboards, carpeting, or wooden panels that are beyond treatment
and repair. Once these items are cleared, an initial cleaning may begin,
but several more may be necessary over the course of several months to
get all trapped dirt and debris removed.

Having an outside company assist with cleanup efforts provides anonymity
and less shame for the hoarder. While family, friends, and even
neighbors may be willing to lend a hand, exposing themselves and their
obsessive habits might be too emotionally distressing and result in
anxiety attacks, defiance, and refusal. Maid services are often more
discreet and can maintain privacy, preventing details from leaking out
into the community and causing further embarrassment. A psychologist or
other therapists can work with the hoarder as well as the cleaners to
facilitate a productive process and smooth over any issues that may
arise.

Hoarding is a mental disorder which requires professional intervention
to aid with ongoing, long-term treatment plans. Hiring maid services is
only useful if the person agrees and the home has already been organized
and de-cluttered. Following purging of the home, regularly scheduled
cleaning can help hoarders who suffer from physical disabilities which
may make some activities too difficult to perform without assistance.
Some hoarders may not even be aware of how to properly sanitize the home
having never done so. A cleaner can help instruct on better techniques
and proper methods.

When contacting maid services, it is important to seek companies that
have had past experiences dealing with hoarders. The disorder is more
prevalent than it might seem, and there may even be organizations within
the area that can provide neighborhood referrals. Local government
officials are also often supportive and sensitive to cleanup efforts,
but it is important to contact the correct personnel if any extensions
are needed. When hoarders are confronted with a police or fire
department mandated junk removal notice, they are often in imminent
danger of losing their property or even facing jail time and massive
fines, so it is important to take action quickly.

Article Tags:
Maid Services

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