Here's a great article sent in by Todd, Grandma, the Packrat: New Approach Finds Pearls Amid the Junk Declutterers Reunite Hoarders With Buried Possessions; Diamonds in the Luggage, Kelly Greene tells the story of organizer Kristin Bergfeld as she culls through years of history in Helen Leaf's UES apartment.
What's particularly interesting about this article is that the phenomenon of "hoarding" is reported to be growing:
Hoarding isn't a new problem, but it's getting more unwieldy as the number of people age 85-plus -- the fastest-growing segment of the population -- increases. (Thanks, Todd!)
I don't work with hoarders, nor CD (chronically disorganized) clientele. It's just out of my realm, but I admire those who can do it. As organizing professionals I think it's important that we be mindful of our limitations and know when to bring in someone with a different expertise.
I find it so sad that so many people live their lives enveloped in the cocoon of stuff they accumulate over the years. I just wish there were some magic pill that would help these folks.
Hey, I posted that article a while ago. It's a good one, isn't it?
Oh dearlord... this is going to get WORSE as I get older?!?!?
I am with Patrick on this! I didn't think it could get any worse. Sadly, I am off-track with The Cure, but I have been keeping up with the de-cluttering. I've also discovered that if I just make the effort at that moment (file the bill, wash the dish, throw out the newspaper), it is so much easier to keep up with.
Oof -- this one will be bad when all the baby boomers get old-old...
My grandmother and great-aunt both secreted away jewelry and wads of cash before they were moved into nursing homes. They'd blame their caretakers for stealing the moneyand anything else they had misplaced. My grandmother once told my mom that her long-time maid had taken a dress of hers and couldn't be trusted with anything. My mom went into her closet and pulled out the very dress. My grandmother's house was still clean and tidy when we packed it up, but we found all sorts of treasures that she'd secreted away.
There is a great article in Discover about hoarding. http://www.discover.com/issues/oct-04/departments/psychology-of-hoarding/
Just wait. Soon social services will be hiring people like Maxwell for staff positions!
Personally, I need to send someone like Bergfield to my mother's house. I've told my mom that if she leaves it to my sister and I as-is that we're just going to use a match!
how to stay clutter free... "Touch It Once" i.e., don't put something down only to pick it up again later in order to put it away. if only i could follow my own advice...
my mother has this problem, maybe i am going to have to help her through it psychologically.
i have been trying to get her to change her ways for years, and it is impossible.. and weird.
my childhood friend grew up in a house full of stuff. once i peeked into the master bedroom and i was horrified! the basement we once played in, which was cluttered even then, is now impassable.
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