While we may all be guilty of having a little extra clutter in a closest or garage, when people have a house full of accumulated junk, the resulting chaos can threaten their safety and independence. This problem is compounded when the clutter exists in the homes of people whose maneuverability and eyesight is not what it once was. Sadly, it’s a problem that is all too common.

Professional organizers and experts in the field of hording say that seniors who can’t part with their possessions are vulnerable to many risks from slipping on loose papers to the threat of fire and health problems due to mold and mildew. “A lifetime accumulation of possessions combined with an influx of daily junk mail, bills, newspapers and magazines can quickly overwhelm aging parents who are struggling physically, mentally or emotionally,” says Denise de Cock, R.N., owner of Home Instead Senior Care of Torrance.

Katherine Anderson, president of the nonprofit National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization and a certified professional organizer agrees. “Lifetime clutterers may have a ‘trigger episode’ such as going into a wheelchair or a health issue that could worsen the problem,” says Anderson. “While the source of clutter can be anything from outdated medications to a kitchen full of unused pots and pans, paper is the biggest clutter culprit."

“It’s sort of the elephant in the room,” adds Dr. Catherine Roster, a University of New Mexico clutter researcher. “People don’t want to acknowledge there is a problem, which creates an underlying anxiety, stress, guilt or embarrassment that can have a negative effect on their mental health and productivity. When there is general disorganization, people lose important documents, can’t find bills and miss payments. All the research shows that people are slow to recognize the problem."

These experts say there are clear signs to watch for that indicate clutter is becoming a problem. These signs include: Piles of mail and unpaid bills. Difficulty walking safely through a home. Frustration in trying to organize simple things. Difficulty managing the activities of daily living. Spoiled food in the refrigerator. Jammed closets and drawers. Compulsive shopping. Difficulty deciding whether to discard items.

WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

Vickie Dellaquila, a certified professional organizer and author of “Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash,” has compiled a list of the 10 most commen reasons seniors can’t or won’t give up their stuff, and what to do about it:

SENTIMENTAL ATTACHMENT

A beloved prom dress may represent the history and memories of the event. Suggest saving a small piece of the dress to make a quilt or display in a shadow box.

SENSE OF LOYALTY

Older adults who’ve received gifts from family and friends may be reluctant to part with them. Encourage your loved one to give unused gifts to grandchildren or a charity.

THE NEED TO CONSERVE

If an elderly person is concerend about conservation, appeal to their desire to help others. Counter their inclination to conserve by appealing to their desire to give back.

FATIGUE

A home with a lifetime of memories can easily become too much for an older adult to handle. Help them manage clutter by establishing online bill paying. Also, get them off junk mail lists.

CHANGE IN HEALTH

Older adults who have suffered a stroke, who are wheelchair bound, or who are experiencing dementia may no longer be able to manage household duties. This is when you should consider bringing in a professional organizer and caregiver.

FEAR

Seniors often fear what will happen if they give up their stuff, like the older adult who saved three generations of bank statements. Use logic and information to help them understand it’s okay to let things go.

DREAMS OF THE FUTURE

Those clothes in the closet don’t fit anymore, but your mother is sure that some day she’ll lose weight to get into them. Ask her to fill a box with clothing she doesn’t wear much and agree that if she hasn’t gone back to the box in six months, she will donate them to charity.

LOVE OF SHOPPING

Many seniors have money and love to shop. Clutter can become so bad they can’t find things and so they repurchase items they already have, contributing to the clutter. This is sometimes done to compensate for loneliness or a lack of a social life.

HISTORY AND MEMORIES

Old photos should be passed on to the next generation. Scrapbooking and converting photos to DVDs are ways to save treasured keepsakes without the mess. Thay can also contribute to the history of their time and leave a lasting legacy by donating them to local museum or historical society.

LONELINESS

Stuff can be a substitute for companionship. Loneliness may also lead to depression, which makes it difficult for seniors to get organized. Consider the services of a professional organizer and caregiver. For more information, go to the National Association of Professional Organizers at www.napo.net or visit www.homeinstead.com/286.

WHAT TO DO IF THEY WON’T LET GO

If and elderly peron simply will not rid their home of clutter, you must consider professional help. Getting rid of stuff is actually a two-step process: sorting and deciding, and then disposing. That’s according to University of Kansas Professor Dr. David Ekerdt who is coordinating a “household moves” project to determine the role that possessions play in older people’s housing decisions. Here are some of the strategies experts recommend:

1) Cheer small victories. If a small table is cleared, celebrate the accomplishment.

2) Conduct an experiment. If dad has 150 empty margarine tub containers, suggest donating 15 of those to a school for a painting project and then see how he feels about letting them go.

3) Gently approach the idea of health and safety. Remind mom and dad that too much clutter can actually keep them from being safe in their home, which could jeopardize their ability to stay at home.

4) Draft an agreement. Agree to box up unused items. Carefully list what’s in the box and track that for six-months. If they don’t use the item in that time, suggest they be donated to a charity.

5) Consider the control issue. Clutter is all about control, but so is being the one to decide where stuff goes. Remind mom, if she doesn’t decide where something will go, someone else will.

GET STARTED

If you’re in your 50s and your parents are in their 70s or 80s, it’s time to start observing and gathering information carefully and thoughtfully. Don’t reach a conclusion from a single observation and decide unilaterally on the best solution until you have gathered information with an open mind and talked with your parents.

TALK IT OUT

Approach your parents with a conversation. Discuss what you’ve observed and ask your parents what they think is going on. If your parents acknowledge the situation, ask what they think would be good solutions. If your parents don’t recognize a problem, use concrete examples to support your case.

SOONER IS BETTER

Talk sooner, rather than later when a clutter crisis has occurred. If you know your loved one has a clutter problem, begin to address the issue right away.

FORGET THE BABY TALK

Patronizing speech or baby talk will put older adults on the defensive and convey a lack of respect for them. Put yourself in your parent’s shoes and think how you would want to be addressed in the situation.

STRESS INDEPENDENCE

Always try to move toward solutions that provide the maximum amount of independence for your parents. Look for answers that optimize strengths and compensate for problems. Resources such as Home Instead Senior Care, area agencies on aging, and local senior centers can help provide those solutions.

STAY TUNED-IN

If your dad dies, soon afterward your mom’s house may fall into disarray. This happens because of depression over the loss of a life-long relationship and a lack of social support. Make sure that your mom has friends and a social life.

IMPORTANT RESOURCES National Association of Professional Organizers at www.napo.net will help you find a professional organizer near you. National Association of Senior Move Managers at www.nasmm.org for assistance helping older adults and their families downsize, relocate or modify their homes. National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization at www.nsgcd.org This non-profit organization features fact sheets, a clutter-hoarding scale for professional organizers to help assess their clients, and a questionnaire to determine if someone is a chronic disorganizer. You may also e-mail these professionals for help and guidance: Vickie Dellaquila, certified professional organizer and author of “Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash” at vickie@organizationrules.com. Dr. Catherine Roster a clutter researcher who serves as research director for The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization and who is currently working on a clutter self-assessment tool that will help clutter collectors get to the root of their issues at Roster@mgt.unm.edu. Dr. David Ekerdt who is coordinating a “household moves” project to determine the role that possessions play in older people’s housing decisions at dekerdt@ku.edu. Katherine Anderson, CPO-CD, president of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization at kit@andersonorganizing.com. To get seniors off of junk mail lists, go to www.dmachoice.org, www.catalogchoice.org, www.optoutprescreen.com. For tips on talking to a loved one about sensitive subjects, go to www.4070talk.com.