From closets overflowing with unworn clothes to boxes brimming with crafts and knickknacks, experts estimate that nearly 6 million Americans have a hoarding problem that affects their quality of life.Hoarding means acquiring too much stuff and not wanting to part with it. It can become quite severe and even dangerous, especially for people who live alone and have few visitors.
When a person thinks there is nothing wrong with having a lot of stuff and it’s nobody else’s business anyway, it is very difficult for anyone to help—even family members, who become frustrated and discouraged. However, some people who hoard are able to recognize that they have a problem and need help.
The Southeast Michigan chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers has developed a program to help people who believe their hoarding is out of control but cannot afford to hire an organizer. The Community Hoarding Intervention Coalition (CHIC), organizers donate their time to help the hoarder regain control of the space and the habits that led to the problem.It is important to note that this program is only for hoarders with “insight" or awareness of the problem. Professional organizers are not licensed mental health professionals, so they are not trained to help people who cannot understand why changes are needed.
Please contact me for more information about this new program.
How are you helping people this year?
2 comments:
Hi, i live in Florida. my neighbors condo, while away had to be entered by the management company. what was found was absolutely shocking. can suggest something in FL?
@Anonymous - check with your local NAPO chapter for help, www.naposouthflorida.com or go to the national professional organizer website, www.napo.org.
If you wish, send me a brief email with location and contact info and I can send a post to our NAPO server. Help is out there, it would be my pleasure to get you connected with a team.
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