Hoarding is when someone may store, collect, or accumulate excessive items in a chaotic manner. The sheer volume of clutter may cause feelings of distress or unhealthy living conditions. Hoarding may occur because of a mental health condition, such as depression, schizophrenia, OCD, or dementia.

The early signs of dementia can be mild and difficult to spot. They may include forgetfulness, changes in perception, or changes in the way people speak. A person may begin to repeat questions or forget the names of everyday objects.

Hoarding and dementia

When a person has dementia, they may begin misplacing everyday items or forgetting where things are. Memory loss may mean that they lose track of important items, such as financial or identity documentation.

This can be extremely distressing, and they may even conclude that their possessions are being stolen or deliberately hidden from them. Alternatively, a person with dementia could have had a lifelong hobby of collecting something; however, due to their dementia and memory loss, this pastime is now excessive or out of control.

Hiding or hoarding items can be a sign of the person attempting to regain control of the situation or their personal possessions. By stockpiling and collecting items, they are seeking to reassure themselves that they have adequate supplies of things such as food.

Hoarding can provide a person with dementia with a sense of security or a coping mechanism to help deal with memory loss.

Mental health training

Education and awareness are key to better assisting those suffering from dementia, whether in a caring, professional, capacity or as a family member/loved one. With the correct knowledge, you will be fully equipped to understand a person’s identity, needs, and responses.

Providers such as www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/swansea offer a variety of mental health training courses Swansea and the surrounding areas. Online, distance, and on-site training options may also be available. There are many courses available, including specific hoarding training and general mental health awareness.

Increased knowledge, better communication, and coping strategies allow for a well-supported and nurtured dementia community.