What is Hoarding?
Hoarding involves collecting large quantities of items and finding it difficult to let them go. Over time, this can make it challenging to live safely and comfortably at home. It’s more than being disorganized—hoarding can impact a person’s health, safety, and daily functioning. It can affect anyone, regardless of background, and often becomes more severe if not addressed, sometimes leading to unsafe or unhealthy living conditions.
Download: Hoarding Fact Sheet
Download: Clutter Image Rating Guide
How to Know If You Have a Hoarding Problem
If you’re unsure whether hoarding may be affecting your life, there are simple tools that can help. These questions and checklists can guide you in reflecting on how clutter is impacting your home and life.
- Self-Assessment: Questions about clutter, saving things, and buying items.
- Daily Living Checklist: Can you cook, sleep, and move around easily in your home?
- Interview Guide: Reflect on your habits and emotions connected to your stuff.
Download: Hoarding Self-Assessment Inventory
Download: Daily Living Function Checklist
Download: Guided Hoarding Interview Form
What You Can Do About It
You are not alone, and there is help. If you’re ready to start making changes, even small steps can make a big difference. These tools can help you start organizing and letting go of things you no longer need.
- Use simple questions to help you decide whether to keep or let go of items.
- Follow a plan to get ready for organizing.
- Sort things step by step, and imagine how you’d like your space to feel.
- Use worksheets to help manage difficult feelings and thoughts.
Download: Self-Help Questions for Acquiring & Discarding
Download: Preparing for Organizing Checklist
Download: Sorting Decision Tree
Download: Thought Management Tool (Downward Arrow Form)
Support for Family and Friends
Is someone you care about struggling with hoarding? Supporting them can be challenging, but your compassion can make a meaningful difference. Here are ways to offer help in a respectful and supportive manner:
- Be kind and patient—try not to judge or force change.
- Use clear and calm language to express your concerns and set limits if needed.
- Spend time with your loved one in their home without talking about hoarding unless they bring it up.
- Understand that your actions can either help or harm your loved one’s willingness to accept support.
- Change often starts with you—your attitude, actions, and consistency matter.
Download: Guide for Families and Friends