HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR LOVED ONE
8 ESSENTIAL WAYS TO SUPPORT
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HAVE COMPASSION
Place yourself in the Hoarder’s mind and connect with their emotions. They need to know that you will be there for them after the cleanup.
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SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP
Whether you are a hoarder or a loved one of a hoarder, there are many therapists that specialize in hoarding. This can help the entire family to finding healthy coping mechanisms and healthy solutions - both short term and long term.
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CONVERSE ABOUT SAFETY
Safety is a key concept that the hoarder is also concerned about. Talk about how reorganizing the home at first will assist in a safe situation. After that discussion you can begin the talk about removing items. This topic is especially essential when the individual is a senior, parent of young children, has a physical ailment, or pre-existing health issues.
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AGREEING TO AGREE
Agree that the items are important– Everything in the home down to the old toilet paper rolls and cigarette boxes have emotional connections to the person. Baffled? What is something that you have saved in your home that would seem odd to others? Look around your home and you will be surprised.
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CONFIDENTIALITY​​
Talk about keeping everything confidential– Hoarders realize to some degree that this is not normal to the average society. The goal to keep your loved one on your side is to promise not to talk about anything related to their situation to anyone without their permission. You can however contact a certified hoarding clean up company that has been trained in hoarding situations.
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LEARN THE WHY'S
Ask your loved one WHY? Why are they keeping these items, many hoarders have had a dramatic experience such as a death in the family, a loved one leaving them, or an abusive past which has led to this hoarding situation.
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DONATE ITEMS
Encourage loved one to Donate– Everyone loves to help the needy, so let the he/she know their items will go to better use with someone who needs it and can put the items to good use.
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HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
Hiring a professional service will not only help with the relationship between you and your loved one, but it will allow someone (if hiring the right company) who knows items of value and can help to organize the house in a way that will help your family member cope with their feelings and loss of connect with the items.
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