The Psychology of Clutter

We have all known people who seem to keep anything and everything, and many are active American seniors who have absolutely no problem caring for themselves. From gifts of decades past to bargain items they really did not need or want but could not pass up, some seniors keep it all. Some go so far as to keep items others consider trash. Their homes become filled with clutter. Other seniors are simply unorganized, and the mounds of clutter become overwhelming and progressively worse with time.

Of course not all seniors have serious issues concerning disorganization and clutter, but understanding the psychology of clutter in the homes of seniors is the first step in helping them overcome problems that become hazardous to their health and well-being. Knowing how and why clutter begins helps provide answers and possible solutions for those who care for or know seniors who do not seem to mind disorder and continual clutter.

Shopping Addictions and Seniors

Many seniors living in cluttered homes suffer from shopping addictions, and they truly are suffering in more ways than one. These seniors are simply bored, and loneliness is the root of this type of addiction. These are the saddest cases of all. Other activities have to be available to help cure this addiction.

Organizational Problems

Seniors with serious organizational problems live in a constant state of disarray. They might clean their homes, but they cannot seem to organize their lives or their belongings. This is because seniors with organizational problems often have trouble knowing what to keep and what to get rid of. They end up keeping useless receipts and papers they will never need while losing track of items of major importance. In many instances, these are the same seniors who do not put things away. They accumulate a tremendous mass of items, some of which should have actually been discarded. The home becomes a safety hazard, and the problem is sometimes not addressed until these seniors fall ill or become seriously injured trying to navigate around the clutter and mess.

Hoarding