There is an increase in interest, knowledge and care from service providers and the community to assist with hoarding and squalor.
Long term support can be provided and (where appropriate) applied gradually, with every effort to respect an individual’s health and emotional needs.
The primary intention of support organisations and service providers is to work with people at their own pace, to understand issues, improve living conditions and ultimately create new habits.
What is the starting point?
The prospect of addressing hoarding and squalor issues can produce anxiety, frustration, and fear. A way to overcome those feelings is to talk to someone familiar.
As a starting point to the rehabilitation process it’s recommended to consult with a preferred health care professional, such as your doctor.
If I, or someone I know, seeks help, what will be done?
If assistance is requested and accepted, service providers will:
- establish if there are any immediate risks
- build rapport with you to try and understand your particular reasons for collecting
- develop a long-term support and management plan to make gradual changes*
*Please note: support organisations and service providers recognise that assistance and support cannot be provided in a standard, uniform way. Whilst assessing individual situations based on key factors, organisations will help identify personal issues and rehabilitation goals and any other services which may be of assistance in your local community. However, where severe risks are identified, support organisations may have to determine the best response method.
