The hoarding syndrome: screening and treatment.

Full Abstract

Hoarding syndrome is a serious public health hazard. It may pose risk of fire, falls, infestation, and bacterial growth. Hoarding can reduce activities of daily living, adherence to treatment, and quality of life. The hoarder collects excessive quantities of poorly useable items of little value, fails to discard items, and has difficulty organizing tasks. Hoarding places the individual at risk for social, psychological, and physical outcomes, which lead to a decline in quality of life. This article examines the etiology, characteristics, signs and symptoms, evaluation, and treatment of hoarding syndrome. A case example illustrates the management of hoarding syndrome in home care.

Author information

Author/s: Valente, Sharon M (SM);

Affiliation: Research and Education, Department of Veterans Affairs, GLA, Los Angeles, California, USA. sharon.valente(-atsign-)med.va.gov

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Home healthcare nurse (Home Healthc Nurse), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2009 Jul-Aug; vol 27 (issue 7) : pp 432-40; quiz 441-2

Dates: Created 2009/07/17; Completed 2009/10/08;

PMID: 19609148, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/8/2009, IMS Date: )

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