Elderly woman in cluttered home, symbolizing emotional attachment to objects.

From Cherished to Clutter: Understanding and Addressing Hoarding Behaviors in Seniors

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how seemingly harmless collecting can turn into hoarding in older adults, impacting their health and safety, and learn practical steps to help."

For many, the idea of a home filled with memories and collections evokes feelings of warmth and nostalgia. However, when these collections spiral out of control, they can transform a living space into a hazardous environment, particularly for older adults. This article delves into a case study of an 87-year-old woman, referred to as I.E., whose life illustrates the complexities of hoarding behavior and its impact on health and quality of life. Understanding this condition is crucial for families and caregivers seeking to provide support and ensure the safety of their loved ones.

I.E.'s story, documented in a case report from Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, highlights the challenges faced by seniors with hoarding tendencies. Initially admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation unit and nursing home, I.E.'s living conditions were deemed unhealthy and unhygienic due to excessive accumulation of objects, food, and trash. Despite her intellectual interests and capabilities, her living situation posed significant risks to her well-being. This case prompts a deeper look into the nature of hoarding behavior, its potential causes, and effective intervention strategies.

Hoarding disorder, now recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), is more than just collecting. It involves persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, leading to clutter that compromises the intended use of living spaces. For seniors, this can exacerbate existing health issues, increase the risk of falls, and create social isolation. Differentiating hoarding disorder from typical collecting or disorganization is essential for providing appropriate and timely support.

What Triggers Hoarding Behavior in Seniors?

Elderly woman in cluttered home, symbolizing emotional attachment to objects.

Hoarding behavior in seniors often stems from a complex interplay of psychological, cognitive, and environmental factors. Understanding these triggers is key to addressing the root causes of the behavior and developing effective intervention strategies. In I.E.'s case, factors such as vascular ischemic encephalopathy and mild cognitive impairment contributed to her difficulties in managing her possessions and maintaining a clean living environment. It’s essential to recognize that hoarding is often a symptom of underlying issues rather than a deliberate choice.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of hoarding behavior in older adults:

Cognitive Decline: Conditions like dementia or mild cognitive impairment can affect decision-making and organizational skills, making it difficult to discard items.
Emotional Attachment: Seniors may develop strong emotional attachments to possessions, viewing them as irreplaceable or comforting.
Loss and Trauma: Experiencing significant loss, such as the death of a loved one or loss of independence, can trigger hoarding as a way to cope with grief and anxiety.
Social Isolation: Loneliness and lack of social interaction can lead to increased attachment to objects and a decreased motivation to maintain a clean living environment.
Physical Limitations: Reduced mobility and physical capabilities can make it challenging for seniors to clean and organize their homes, leading to clutter accumulation.

The case of I.E. also illustrates how physical health issues can exacerbate hoarding tendencies. Her recurrent ulcer of the left leg and reduced mobility made it difficult for her to maintain her apartment, contributing to the accumulation of clutter. Addressing these underlying health issues is crucial in managing hoarding behavior and improving the overall well-being of affected individuals.

Practical Steps for Supporting Seniors with Hoarding Behavior

Addressing hoarding behavior in seniors requires a compassionate and collaborative approach that respects the individual's dignity and autonomy. Here are several practical steps to consider:

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s40520-018-0996-8, Alternate LINK

Title: An 87-Year-Old Female With Interest In Music, Botany, Trekking Stories, Politics And … Junk

Subject: Geriatrics and Gerontology

Journal: Aging Clinical and Experimental Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Susan Stephanie Reedy, William Spassini, Nicola Berruti, Berti Stefano, Renzo Polotti, Orazio Zanetti

Published: 2018-07-13

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is hoarding disorder?

Hoarding disorder is a recognized mental health condition characterized by a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. This behavior leads to clutter that compromises the intended use of living spaces and can significantly impair a person's health, safety, and social life. It is different from collecting because it involves an inability to get rid of items, leading to unmanageable clutter, unlike collectors who typically organize and display their items.

What are some of the main reasons that older people start hoarding?

Hoarding behavior in seniors can be triggered by a combination of psychological, cognitive, and environmental factors. Cognitive decline due to conditions like dementia or mild cognitive impairment can impair decision-making and organizational skills. Emotional attachments to possessions, loss and trauma, social isolation, and physical limitations also play significant roles. Additionally, underlying health issues can exacerbate hoarding tendencies. Recognizing these triggers is crucial for effective intervention.

How is hoarding disorder different from just being a collector or being disorganized?

It is important to differentiate hoarding disorder from simple collecting or disorganization because the implications and required interventions are different. Hoarding disorder, as defined in the DSM-5, involves significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. It poses risks to the individual's safety and well-being due to unsanitary living conditions and potential fire hazards. Simple collecting, on the other hand, is typically organized and does not impair daily functioning or create hazardous living conditions.

What are some practical steps one can take to help a senior who is hoarding?

Several practical steps can be taken to support seniors exhibiting hoarding behavior. A compassionate and collaborative approach is essential. This includes involving family members, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to create a supportive environment. It is also important to address any underlying health issues, such as cognitive decline or physical limitations, that may be contributing to the behavior. Professional intervention, such as therapy or counseling, can help seniors develop strategies for managing their possessions and reducing clutter.

What can we learn from the case of I.E. regarding hoarding in seniors?

The case of I.E. shows the complexities of hoarding behavior in elderly individuals. Her situation was compounded by factors such as vascular ischemic encephalopathy, mild cognitive impairment, recurrent ulcer of the left leg and reduced mobility, leading to unhealthy and unhygienic living conditions. The case underscores the importance of recognizing hoarding as a symptom of underlying issues and addressing the physical and cognitive challenges that exacerbate the behavior.