Hoarding and its Risks
Hoarding disorder is characterized by a persistent struggle to discard possessions due to a perceived need to save them, often leading to distress. Individuals with this disorder tend to accumulate a large number of items, regardless of their actual value, gradually filling their living spaces. Adroit has worked with many Nashville families dealing with a hoarding disorder, whether in their own homes, or a family member’s. We understand the importance of handling each hoarding job with a strong sense of empathy and respect. In most cases, the resident is unaware of the implications that hoarding can cause to their health and safety. They believe that every hoarded item has a purpose or sentimental value, and cannot be replaced. This can be extremely detrimental to their physical and mental health. These problems can include respiratory issues, increased risk of falls and injuries, fire hazards, and the spread of pests inside the home. Adroit can help you, or a loved one, overcome the heartache of dealing with a hoarding situation today. Our trained professionals will be there with you every step of the way, ensuring you get the help you and your home need! Below are some of the many risks that hoarding presents, and how they can be mitigated.
Physical Health Risks
Hoarding can cause some major health risks to anyone residing inside the home, especially to the elderly or handicapped. The most commonly hoarded items are things like books, papers, magazines, and craft supplies. While they are harmless on their own, once they start piling up over the years they become serious tripping hazards. People with limited mobility or sight may not notice these everyday items on the floors and trip over them, leading to a serious accident. One of the first steps we take during our hoarding cleanups, is to remove all these unnecessary items from the home and store them in a safer location, if possible.
Another crucial reason to remove these items is to mitigate risks in the event of a fire. Having a clean, clutter-free home is paramount to ensuring you and your loved ones can safely exit the home. Items could potentially block doors, windows, and hallways making it difficult for rescue services to enter the home as well. It may also be difficult to locate the source of the fire, resulting in more extensive damage to your home. Adroit’s trained hoarding experts will ensure that you and your family are safe for years to come!
Pests and vermin also play a serious role in affecting the health of anyone residing in a hoarded home. The accumulation of trash, rotting food, and animal waste inside the home can be a nesting ground for parasites and disease carrying rats or mice. The influx of pests, like rats and ticks, can exacerbate the spread of diseases such as: Hantavirus, Lyme Disease, Salmonella, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Not to mention, fleas and bedbugs will begin to breed on furniture and cause discomfort to residences. Once a pest infestation occurs, it is almost impossible to stop it without professional intervention. Luckily, our team is trained to not only handle the hoarding cleanup, but to also remove any lurking pests through our proprietary removal process.
Mental Health Risks
We understand that restoring a hoarded home is not simply removing trash and spraying for bugs, there will be a myriad of other mental health issues that need to be addressed. People with a hoarding disorder will more than likely be experiencing stress and anxiety through this process, as they may not comprehend why their possessions are being taken away, and possibly thrown out. This can also lead to a sense of social isolation, as they feel that they are being singled out and ostracized for seemingly no reason. The mental health aspect of hoarding is generally the toughest part when dealing with a hoarding situation. Adroit will guide you through the entire process, and connect you with local mental health organizations to ensure you get any help that you need.
Hoarded Home Purchase
If the hoarding process seems overbearing and you are considering moving, Adroit Restoration can offer home purchases in Nashville, TN, and surrounding areas for clients looking to move into their dream homes without the hassle of restoring their damaged or hoarded properties before selling. We’ll assess the extent of the damage, provide a fair cash offer, and proceed with the closing process once accepted. Rest assured, your former home will be restored to its former glory, allowing you to move forward worry-free.
