Do you need to have a conversation about hoarding and clutter?
Every Christmas, dinner tables across Australia become the battle ground for adult children concerned about the safety of their parents, and parents desperately hanging on to their independence. And one of the biggest sticking points is clutter.
In 2016, adult children demanded to know if the family home full of stuff sparked joy. This Christmas, many elderly parents will have been urged to embrace Swedish Death Cleaning as a means of living with less. Gripped with FOTO (Fear of Throwing Out), parents feigned hearing loss and artfully changed the subject.
The benefits of being organised are well documented, but it’s important to acknowledge that different generations have different experiences and priorities and being surrounded by a lifetime of acquired items can be a source of comfort and satisfaction for many people. The most important thing is that elderly parents are safe and well, and family relationships remain healthy.
If you’re concerned that your loved one’s clutter is interfering with their safety and well-being, it’s important to have a conversation, and it’s important to do it in the right way.
We’ve developed tips for starting a conversation about hoarding and clutter that respects the differences and protects the relationship.
More information and free resources are available right here on the Hoarding Home Solutions website.
