Are you or a loved one facing issues with hoarding?
Our team of experts can help with individual support and innovative group programs.
Reality television shows like Channel Nine’s Space Invaders or the American version Hoarders attract a wide audience – it can be cathartic and fascinating to watch people go through the process of clearing and organising their clutter. But for people struggling with hoarding tendencies and their loved ones, there’s a much more serious side to the issue. The team of hoarding experts at Catholic Healthcare help older people address these challenges with one-on-one client assistance, face-to-face declutter groups and a successful online support program.
One-on-one support with our Assistance with Care and Housing program
Our Assistance with Care and Housing program assists older people with managing excessive clutter.
“While group settings give people an opportunity to learn strategies and to meet others, some people require and need individual support in the home – whether it is to put learned strategies in place or to provide motivation and reassurance,” explains Mercy Splitt, Hoarding and Squalor Manager.
Weekly sessions with a trained care worker may include assistance with decluttering, life skills, arranging cleaning if required and help with advocacy and additional services. Referrals for this program can be made through the My Aged Care portal, followed by an assessment.
Group support
Our declutter groups are run twice a week online via Zoom and offer people with hoarding tendencies who have started to implement some strategies to let go, an opportunity to keep sharing their experiences and insights and to learn from each other in a non-judgemental environment.
Currently the groups are funded by the Department of Health as part of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Social Support Group. “These smaller support groups have been really successful for our past Buried in Treasures participants, giving them an opportunity to continue the discussion and expand on learned strategies,” says Mercy, who hopes to be able to offer the groups more widely to other clients soon. Referrals for this program can be made through the My Aged Care portal, followed by an assessment.
Online support through Buried in Treasures program
The 15-week Buried in Treasures program is free to older people eligible for the government’s Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Originally designed as an in-person support group, the move to an online format means that the twice-yearly program is now open to people across NSW.
“Buried in Treasures offers social connection and acceptance for people with hoarding tendencies in a supportive environment,” says Mercy. “It’s about addressing the root causes of the problem, not just the resulting physical clutter.” Participants learn why they struggle with excessive acquiring and develop skills and strategies to begin decluttering and manage their hoarding behaviour.
For more information call 1800 225 474 or click here