Senate Report Calls for National Action on Hoarding Disorder

A new Senate report highlights a growing problem among older Americans: hoarding disorder. The report calls for urgent national action to address this issue.

Key Findings

1. Rising Concern: Hoarding disorder is increasing among older Americans. It affects about 2% of the general U.S. population and 6% of adults over 70. As the population ages, the number of people with hoarding disorder is expected to rise.
2. Dangerous Conditions: Hoarding can lead to dangerous living situations, causing health problems, social isolation, and difficulties for first responders during emergencies. It can also create public health issues, such as mold and infestations that spread to neighboring areas.

Senate’s Involvement

Senator Bob Casey, D-Penn., who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Aging, released the report. This marks the first time Congress has formally addressed hoarding disorder.

“My report is a first step to raising awareness of hoarding disorder,” Casey told Axios .

Criticism of Federal Agencies

The report criticizes federal agencies for not doing enough to address hoarding disorder:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Administration for Community Living lack specific programs for hoarding.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers no recent online resources on the topic.

Recommendations

To tackle the issue, the report suggests several actions:

1. Better Data Collection: Gather more information on how hoarding impacts older adults and first responders.
2. Public Awareness Campaigns: Increase awareness of hoarding disorder.
3. Federal Training and Assistance: Provide training and support for local service providers.
4. Expanded Coverage: Extend Medicare and Medicaid to cover treatments for hoarding disorder.
5. Direct Engagement: Work directly with those affected by hoarding and their families.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the need for the federal government to prioritize hoarding disorder as part of its efforts to address issues affecting the aging population. By taking these steps, the government can help improve living conditions and overall health for older Americans.

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References:

• Axios, Senate Report on Hoarding Disorder.