Orange County Task Force on Hoarding
“A Collaborative Effort to Effectively Impact Hoarding”
The Task Force on Hoarding Resource Guide is now available.
HTF Resource Guide The Orange County Task Force on Hoarding is a volunteer,advisory group that meets monthly to review existing residential hoarding situations that effect the health and safety of individuals in Orange County.
As such, the Task Force itself does not provide direct services but is comprised of representatives of agencies and programs that often are able to help. Organizations that encounter hoarding situations are encouraged to bring challenging cases to the monthly task force meeting for review (confidentiality rules apply) with the goal of identifying strategies, developing plans and locating resources that may help bring about a positive outcome for all involved
Individuals who encounter hoarding situations are encouraged to call, Adult Protective Services or Orange County Mental Health Older Adult Services for consultation and possible referral for assessment and services. (phone numbers below)
Hoarding
- The acquisition of and/or failure to discard a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value
- Living spaces that can’t be used for the intended purpose due to clutter
- Significant distress or impairment in functioning caused by the hoarding
Possible Signs of Hoarding Behavior
- Blocked entries and exits due to the accumulation of large number of belongings (doors/windows)
- Narrow or limited pathways in the home due to accumulation of materials
- Large piles of combustible materials such as newspapers, magazines, used food containers and rubbish
- Excessive collection and storage of items in the residence, yard, vehicle that interferes with the intended use of that space
- Foul odors emanating from the home
- Excessive amount of companion animals
- Vermin and/or insect infestations
- Spoiled and/or rotting food
- Accumulated human and/or animal waste
- Non-working or inaccessible utilities, such as heat, running water, sewer, refrigeration
Participants in Orange County Task Force on Hoarding
- Protective Service Workers
- Animal Control Officials
- Senior Service Providers
- Code Enforcement Officials
- Vector Control
- Health and Mental Health Professionals
- Fire Department Representatives
- Housing Representatives
- Professional Organizers & Cleaning Companies
- Consumers
- Family Members
Task Force Goals
- Identify and understand the issues, difficulties and causes of human hoarding behavior
- Develop and maximize resources
- Develop innovative and humane interventions
- Educate the public and service providers
Task Force Core Values
- Respect the Individual
- People who hoard are experiencing multiple issues which require the assistance of others to manage and recover
- Reasons for the behavior can be difficult to identify, may be varied, and multidimensional
- Each individual who hoards requires a compassionate, individualized assessment and services
- People who hoard deserve courtesy and respect
- Multifaceted Challenge
- Hoarding requires an individual and community response
- Service providers should be aware of the variety of community responders and work as a team in addressing issues of hoarding
- Service providers should be knowledgeable of the unusual characteristics of people who hoard and methods to effect positive change
- Involuntary interventions should only occur as result of severe health and safety and issues
- Health clinicians should always be with client during or immediately following involuntary interventions
Task Force Meets Monthly
3rd Thursday of each month (dark in December)
9am-10:30am, @ Council on Aging— Orange County
1971 E. 4
th St., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Resources
The Obsessive Compulsive (OC) Foundation www.ocfoundation.org
Clutterer’s Anonymous www.clutterersanonymous.net
National Association of Professional Organizers www.napo.net
National Study Group of Chronic Disorganization www.nsgcd.org
Children of Hoarders www.childrenofhoarders.com
For Help in Orange County
County of Orange Health Care Agency Older Adult Services —714 972-3700
County of Orange Social Services Agency Adult Protective Services —800 451-5155