Impact Stories: Hoarding Intervention & Treatment

Meet Lee

With his family far away, Lee was alone and faced overwhelming challenges. His health and living situation deteriorated. The sadness he carried made everyday tasks feel impossible.

That’s when Lee reached out to Catholic Charities. A case worker from our Hoarding Intervention program visited Lee, meeting him where he was at in this difficult period of life. Together, they defined his goals toward a fresh start. Lee planned to move out of his long-term home, a decision that meant parting ways with many belongings and learning to manage life in a new space, an important step in his journey. Dalia, his case worker, guided Lee as he navigated the emotional weight that came with that part of the process.

Less than a year later, Lee was in a new home, one that reflected his new beginning. “The new house is beautiful,” Lee says, smiling. “Now I’m not bringing extra things in.” Dalia, his case worker, coordinated weekly visits from a professional cleaner so Lee can focus on his health, living with less stress and more joy. “I’m so proud of everything Lee has accomplished,” says Dalia. “He’s not just healing physically—he’s healing as a whole person.”

Meet John

John, a 65 year-old veteran of the Vietnam War, has battled with severe obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression for much of his life. Then, in August 2016, John was the survivor of a brutal unprovoked attack, leaving him physically unable to care for himself and his home.

John’s physical and mental health struggles manifested into a hoarding disorder. The condition of his home became so dangerous that he was issued an eviction notice. With nowhere else to turn and facing homelessness, John came to Catholic Charities for help.

With the support of Carla, Director of Hoarding Intervention Services, the court delayed the eviction. Carla and her team worked around the clock to remove safety hazards from John’s apartment and established a six-month care plan.

John’s physical wounds have healed and he receives needed therapy to cope with his mental health issues. Today, John is living a happy, healthy and independent life.

Meet Kathy

For many years, Kathy suffered from Hoarding Disorder. It was her coping mechanism. Sadly, the impact of hoarding affected her relationships as well as her ability to maintain a routine and feel confident. To help his mother, Kathy’s son Tim and his wife Jennifer reorganized and removed items from her home and helped her clean. Unfortunately, the causes of hoarding go much deeper, involving mental and behavioral health. Kathy’s hoarding continued.

Kathy felt hopeless, and the condition of her home worsened. She was overwhelmed by the sudden passing of her sister, traumatic death of her former husband, and the failing health of her mother who was in hospice care.

Tim and Jennifer decided to contact Catholic Charities Hoarding Intervention program. Kathy was reluctant but agreed to have a home coach help her evaluate items she was holding onto and decide what she wanted to either donate or throw away. She met with our therapist to process her grief, understand the cause of her hoarding, and find healthier ways to cope. A case manager also helped access her needs and coordinate additional resources. Today, Kathy is managing life and her home much better with occasional follow up visits from her home coach.

Meet Clarice & Andrew

When it was time for Clarice and Andrew to bring their newborn daughter home from the hospital, their nursery room was uninhabitable. Bags filled with cartons, cans, and bottles were piled to the ceiling. Like their anxieties about being new parents, the couple ignored their clutter behind a locked door. As a result, the Public Health department would not allow their baby to be released from the hospital. They gave the couple the number for Catholic Charities’ Hoarding Intervention and Treatment Program, and Clarice made the call immediately.

Working alongside the couple, our team helped to declutter and clean. They helped Clarice and Andrew develop new home cleaning habits, and introduced coping skills to reduce anxiety. After a couple of weeks, their home was declared safe to bring their baby home. “The most helpful part of Catholic Charities’ service was the kindness we were shown,” said Clarice.