Downsizing, Moving and Cluer Challenges in Homes of Older ......Downsizing To-Do’s: • Start...
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"Downsizing, Moving and Clu4er Challenges in Homes of Older Adults" Presented by: • Susie Marsh, LBSW • Professional Organizer
Transcript of Downsizing, Moving and Cluer Challenges in Homes of Older ......Downsizing To-Do’s: • Start...
"Downsizing, Moving and Clu4er
Challenges in Homes of Older Adults"
Presentedby:• SusieMarsh,LBSW• ProfessionalOrganizer
10Ques?onstoConsiderwhenthinkingofDownsizing/De-cluGering/GeIngOrganized:
1.Doyouwanttohaveasimplifiedlife?
2.Areyoureadytoletgoandde-clu>erand/ordownsizeyourcurrenthome?3.AreyouinalifetransiBonsuchas,movingtoaseniorcommunity,toarelaBve’shomeortoasmallerhome?4.AreyourpersonalrelaBonshipsaffectedbecausethereistoomuchclu>erinyourhome?5.Areyoustrugglingwith"brainclu>er'"?
10Ques?onsCon?nued………
6.Canyoufindyourimportantdocumentseasily?(banking,budget/bills,insurance,etc.)7.Areyourebuyingitems(wasBngmoney)becauseyoucan’tfindtheitemsyouwerelookingfor?8.Areyouconstantlylookingforlostormisplaceditems?9.Doyoufeeldepressedoranxiousthinkingaboutalltheclu>erandchaosaroundyou?10. Isitharderforyoutokeepyourhouseorganizedandclu>erfreebecauseofphysicalormentallimitaBons?
DownsizingTo-Do’s:• Startearly!Ifyouarethinkingofmoving,startthe
processtodownsizeyourpossessions12-18monthspriortothemove.
• Talktoyourfamily/friendsaboutyourwishestodownsize.
• Thinkaboutgivingitemstofamily/friendsnowsoYOUcanenjoythemenjoyingtheitems.
• Moving?Thinkabouthowmuchspaceyouwillhaveinyournewhomeornewlyorganizedspaces.Measureandmapoutafloorplan.
• Askyourself,"Doesthisitemhavea“PurposeandPlace”inmyhome?
• HowcanIuBlizeallofmyavailableandvaluablespacesinmyhome?(ie.behinddoors,insidecabinetdoors,underbeds,wallspaces,etc.)
• Don’tletguiltdictatewhatitemsyoukeep.
HowtoGetStartedwithDe-CluGering:
Sor?ngProcess:(setupbins/boxestosortintoandlabelthem):
• Donate• Givetofamily/friends• Keep• Toss/Recycle• Relocateinthehome
ATerSor?ngProcessisCompleted:• Putdonateitemsintoyourvehicletodelivertoyour
charityofchoice.• Putitemsintheirplacesthatareinthe“Relocate”box.• Putitemstogivetofriends/familybyyourfrontdooror
inyourvehiclesoyouremembertodistributethem.UseholidaysasaBmetogiveheirlooms/treasurestofamilymembersorfriends.
• Takeoutthetrashandrecycletothewastearearightaway.
TreasuresorTrash?
Op?onstoReduceyourCluGer:1. GarageSales-yougetalloftheprofitsbutarea
lotoflabortorunforMediumtoLowreturn2. EstateSales-goodopBonifyouhavealotof
itemsorhaveitemsworthmorethangaragesalevalue;%paidtoestatesalecompany;onlineestatesalesareanopBontoo
3. Auc?on-goodopBonifyouhavelargeitems/valuableitems;%paidtoaucBoncompany
4. Dona?on-goodopBonifyouwanttomoveitemsoutfastanduseasataxdeducBon(ifapplicable)
5. Consignment-goodopBonifyouhaveinstyleorhighvalueclothingandgoods;goodopBonforfurnituretoo;%paidtoconsignmentshop
6. Online-goodopBontogetthemostmoneyforyouritems,however,theprocesstosellcantakealotofBme,therecanbesafetyconcerns,shippingcostandneedtobetechsavy
ManagethePaperworkFlow:• SetupaPaperworkCommandCenterwith
thefollowing:• MasterCalendar• To-Dolists,etc.• ACTIONitems(ie.Billstopay,
paperstofillout,etc.)• Inbox/Outboxflow:
• AcBon/ToBeFiled/Toss/Recycle/Shred
• EffecBveFilingSystem:• Fileit,Don’tpileit.• Setupasystemyouwilluse
• Areyoutechsavy?Usetechnologytosimplifyhowyoupaybills,makelists,makeappointments,etc.
• GetofftheJunkMailLists/PaperRecycling:• www.dmachoice.org• www.paperkarma.com• www.optoutprescreen.com• www.papergatorrecycling.com
Moving?• Doatemporaryaddress
changewiththeUSPSandextenditaner6months.
• DoNotdoapermanentaddresschangeoryouwillgetspammedby500+companies!
ChronicDisorganiza?on:Whatisit?ChronicDisorganizaBonisfoundattheextremeendoftheconBnuum,differingfromseverelydisorganized.ChronicdisorganizaBonismarkedbyitslongevity,interferencewithqualityoflifeandresistancetoself-helpefforts."Reference:ICDFactSheet-001ChronicDisorganizaBonchallengescanstemfromcondiBonssuchas,anxiety,depression,hoarding,chronicillness,traumaBcbraininjury,ADD,PTSDandmore.
Situa?onalDisorganiza?on:Whatisit?DisorganizaBonthatiscausedbycircumstancesinaperson'slifethatisnotanongoingsituaBon.Examples:• MedicalcondiBon(acute)• ChangeinfamilysituaBon(ie.Birth,death,jobloss,divorce,etc.)• Moving• LackofBme(ie.Work,FamilyobligaBons,etc.)• Spacesareinadequate(ie.Smallhome,lackofstorage,etc.)
Why is Excessive Clu4er a Problem? • 1.SafetyHazard-
• Fallriskwithpathways/mazes/piles.• Riskofitemsfallingonhomeowner.• Riskoffire(i.e.Itemstooclosetofirehazardsand/ordaisychainingofcords.)
• Dangeroustofirstresponders(i.e.EMS,Fire,Police,etc.)2.PublicHealthHazard-• InfestaBonsthatspread(i.e.Fleas,cockroaches,bedbugs,etc.)• Unsanitary-humanoranimalwaste;lackofworkingtoilets/water/sewagesystem
• Yard/HomeDisrepair/Standingwater=mosquitos(Lymedisease),Bcks;trasha>ractsvermin
3.HealthHazard-• Respiratoryissues/infecBonrisk-blackmold,animalurine/feces,bugbites,foodpoisoning,etc.
CollecBngvs.HoardingCollec?ngbehaviors:• Usuallyinvolvesdisplayofitemsforshow• Senseofpridefortheitemscollected• SpecificlocaBonsinhometohousecollecBon• BudgetsandsavesmoneytoacquirenewitemsincollecBonand
feelsasenseofsaBsfacBonwhenaddingthemtothecollecBon• ItemsareusuallyorganizedandwellmaintainedHoardingbehaviors:• Feelembarrassmentbytheirpossessionsor"mess"(won'tlet
othersintheirhome)• LackoffuncBonalorganizaBonofpossessions• LossoffuncBonallivingspaceduetoclu>er• Onenhavedebt,someBmesextremeduetoconBnualpurchasing
ofitems• SeespotenBaloruseinitemsnoma>eriftheitemisofli>levalue,
broken,etc.• StrainedrelaBonshipsovertheamountofclu>er
What is Hoarding Behavior?
DSM-5(AmericanPsychiatricAssociaBon,2013)statesthatHoardingDisorderispresentwhenthefollowingcriteriaaremet:
o PersistentdifficultydiscardingorparBngwithpossessions,regardlessoftheiractualvalue.
o Thisdifficultyisduetoaperceivedneedtosavetheitemsanddistressassociatedwithdiscardingthem.
o ThesymptomsresultintheaccumulaBonofpossessionsthatcongestandclu>eracBvelivingareasandsubstanBallycompromisetheirintendeduse.
o Thehoardingcausesclinicallysignificantdistressorimpairmentinsocial,occupaBons,orotherimportantareasoffuncBoning.
o ThehoardingsymptomsarenotduetoageneralmedicalcondiBon.
o Thehoardingsymptomsarenotrestrictedtothesymptomsofanothermentaldisorder.(E.g.hoardingduetoobsessionsinObsessive-CompulsiveDisorder,lackofmoBvaBoninMajorDepressiveDisorder,delusionsinSchizophreniaoranotherPsychoBcDisorder,cogniBvedeficitsinDemenBa,restrictedinterestsinAuBsBcDisorder,foodstoringinPrader-WilliSyndrome)
TheDSMalsoliststwo"specifiers"(featuresthatmayormaynotbepresent):
o Excessiveacquiring
o Poorinsight
Why do People Hoard? q TraumaBclifeexperience(i.e.Abuse,death,divorce,
evicBon,lossofpossessions,etc.)
q SenBmentalvalue.
q Recessivetrait(traumaBclifeexperiencewouldbringittotheforefront).
q Holdingontoitemsmakethemfeelsaferandhappier.
q Feelingsofresponsibilityforitems.
q Fearoflosingthings.Memoryissues.
q Indecisiveness.q PerfecBonism.Fearof"doingitwrong"ormaking
mistakes.
q SeesusefulnessandpotenBalineveryitem.
q Growingupinanenvironmentofhoarding.
q Canprogressivelygetworsewithage.q Strongera>achmenttothingsthantopeoplearound
them.
q OrganizaBonalproblems-(i.e.ADD)execuBvefuncBoningdeficits.
Tools for Assessment:
§ Clu>er-HoardingScale-5levels(InsBtuteforChallengingDisorganizaBon)www.challengingdisorganizaBon.org
§ Clu>erImageRaBngScale-9levels(www.oxfordclinicalpsych.com)Appavailable§ Clu>erSelf-Assessment-16quesBons
AssessmentsaimtoidenBfy:health&safetyissues/hazardousitems,severityofhoard,householdfuncBoning,infestaBons,accessibilityofthehome,personalprotecBveequipmentrequirement,client'sinsightanddesireforchange
Who sees Hoarding behavior?
o PropertyManagementcompanyworkers,landlords,etc.
o Neighborso HomeHealthorHomeCareAgencies(PT,OT,RN,MealsonWheels,Aides,etc.)
o AdultProtecBveServicesworkers,SocialWorkers,
o FirstResponders(i.e.FireandPolice,EMS,etc.)
o Repairmen(ie.Appliances,cable/internet/phone,etc.)
o Gasorelectriccompany
o Deliverypeopleo Others?……………..ThepersonhoardingusuallyisresistanttointervenBonandisn'ttheonecallingforhelp.Itisusuallythefamily/friendsorsomeoneelse.
What does Hoarding look like?
How to Help with Hoarding? HoardingisaseriousissuethatonenrequiresprofessionalintervenBon.Herearesomeguidelinestofollowifyouareworkingwithsomeonewhohoards:
• BespecificaboutexpectaBonsforeachareathatneedsintervenBon.(Wri>engoals,Visionboards,colorcodedreminders)
• Helpmaintainfocusonthetasksathand.(i.e.UseofBmers,Bmemanagementschedules,etc.).
• Getpermissiontospeaktofamily/friendsinvolved.
• InvolvethepersoninseekingsoluBons.
• Provideresourcesforongoinghandsonassistance.(ie.professionalorganizer,volunteers,etc.)
• Stopnewitemsfrombeingbroughtintothehome.(i.e.contractofcompliance,etc.)
• Bepreparedforrelapse.Changinghabits/behaviorstakesBmeandmoBvaBon.
• Reduceincomingpaper:www.dmachoice.org/www.paperkarma.com;Www.optoutprescreen.com/www.papergatorrecycling.com(localrecyclingatchurches/schools/nonprofits)
Do:• BePaBentandUnderstanding.• KnowyourownlimitaBons.• AskopenendedquesBonstofindoutmore/
Heartheirstory.• Treatthepersonwithdignityandrespect/
buildtrust.• Evaluateforhealthsafety.Focusonharm
reducBon.• Referformedicaland/ormentalhealth
services.• Recognizeitisabehaviorthatwillbedifficult
tochangeasithasbroughthim/hercomfortinthepast.
• Beacheerleader!!!• Setupforsuccess.Workinoneareaata
Bme/setsmalltargetedgoalsforinspecBon.Mainlivingareafirst.
• Slowsteadyprogressinthegoal.• Advocateformorefundingtohelppayfor
resources.
How to Help with Hoarding ? (Cont.)
WhatNOTtodo:• Passjudgment/BecriBcal.• Talkaboutthepersonasifhe/sheisnotpresent.• Arguewiththeperson.• Makedecisionsfortheperson/disregardtheperson'sinput.
• Lietotheperson.• Removeanyitemwithoutpermission.• Tellthepersonhowtheyshouldfeel.• Expectthatarapidcleanoutwillsolvetheproblem.• GointothesituaBonunpreparedforsafetyand/orhealthhazards.
Hoarding Task Forces: GrandRapidsAreaHoardingTaskForce:
• HeadedupbyCityofGRCodeCompliancesupervisorandGRPDCommunityLiaisonofficer.MulBpleagencyinvolvementforassistanceandeducBontothecommunity.
• h>p://grcity.us/community-development/Code-Compliance-Division/Pages/GRAHT.aspx
§ Contact:[email protected]
KalamazooHoardingTaskForce:§ www.kalamazoohoarding.org
WashtenawHoardingTaskForce:§ [email protected]
TraverseBayAreaHoardingTaskForce:§ [email protected]
CleanUpHelp:§ www.wmichhoarding.com(BioOneofW.Michigan)§ www.servicemaster.com(Kalamazoo,GrandRapids)• www.hoardingpros.com(servingthroughoutMichigan)Organiza?onHelp:§ www.napo.net(Nat.'lAssoc.ofProfessionalOrganizers)(Checkforspeciality/traininginchronicdisorganizaBon)§ www.napomichigan.com(NAPOMichiganChapter)(Checkforspeciality/traininginchronicdisorganizaBon)§ www.challengingdisorganizaBon.org(InsBtuteforChallengingDisorganizaBon)
§ Clu>er-HoardingScale
MentalHealthResources:§ Www.ocfoundaBon.org(InternaBonalOCDFoundaBon)§ Www.network180.org(CommunityMentalHealthinKentCounty)§ www.childrenoyoarders.com(InformaBonforfamiliesofpersonwithhoardingissues)
Assis?ngOlderAdults:• www.nasmm.org(Moving-Seniormovemanagers)• www.caregiverresource.net(Resourceinfo.forcaregiversofolderadults)• www.AAAWM.org(AreaAgencyonAgingWestMI)
Hoarding Disorder Resources:
o Tolin,D.Frost,R.&Steketee,G.,(2014),BuriedinTreasures:HelpforCompulsiveAcquiring,SavingandHoarding,NewYork,TheOxfordUniversityPress.
o Steketee,G.&Frost,R.(2014),TreatmentforHoardingDisorder,2ndediBon,Workbook,NewYork,TheOxfordUniversityPress.
o TheInsBtuteforChallengingDisorganizaBon,Varness,Kate,ed.;(2012)TheICDChallengingDisorganizaBon:ForProfessionalOrganizers,St.Louis,MO,InsBtuteforChallengingDisorganizaBon.
o BraBoBs,C.,Schmalisch,C.&Steketee,G.,(2011),TheHoardingHandbook:AGuideforHumanServiceProfessionals,NewYork,TheOxfordUniversityPress.
Contact InformaQon: • SusieMarsh,LBSW,ProfessionalOrganizer• Memberof:• NAPO(Nat.’lAssoc.ofProfessionalOrganizers)• NAPOMichiganChapterVicePresident• InsBtuteforChallengingDisorganizaBon-Level1CerBficateofStudyinHoarding
• TheCaregiverResourceNetwork• ByronCenterChamberofCommerce
www.SusiesOrganiza?onSolu?ons.comSOSOrganizeU@gmail.com616-554-3175
QuesBons?
