Understanding Hoarding Disorder in Aging Adults
Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition marked by the persistent difficulty of discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value. Over time, this behavior leads to excessive accumulation, creating cluttered and often unsafe living environments. In older adults, hoarding can be particularly challenging, especially when combined with cognitive conditions such as vascular dementia and hoarding , because age-related physical decline, memory issues, and emotional loss often worsen both the severity and impact of hoarding. Why Older Adults Might Hoard: Contributing Factors Loss, Trauma, and Change Many seniors with hoarding disorder have experienced significant losses — such as the death of a spouse, retirement, or a long move — which can trigger a deep emotional connection to possessions. Objects may represent memory, safety, or a way to cope with grief. Cognitive and Neurological Changes Declines in decision-making, executive function, or memory can make it difficul...