Digging out : helping your loved one manage clutter, hoarding & compulsive acquiring

Tompkins, Michael A. (Author). Hartl, Tamara L. (Added Author).

Summary: From the Publisher: Many people who hoard understand the extent of their problem and are open to help. This book is not for them. Digging Out is for the concerned and frustrated friends and family members of people who do not fully accept the magnitude of their hoarding problem and refuse help from others. If you have a friend or loved one with a hoarding problem and are seeking a way to guide him or her to a healthier, safer way of life, this book is for you. In Digging Out, you will find a complete guide to helping your loved one with a hoarding problem live safely and comfortably in his or her home or apartment. Included are realistic harm reduction strategies that you can use to help your loved one manage health and safety hazards, avoid eviction, and motivate him or her to make long-term lifestyle changes. You'll learn how to handle a roommate or spouse with a hoarding problem, identify and work through special considerations that may arise when the person who hoards is frail and elderly, and receive guidance for healing strained relationships between people who hoard and their friends and family. Take heart. With this book as a guide, you can help your loved one live more comfortably and safely, salvage your damaged relationship, and restore your peace of mind.

Record details

ISBN: 9781572245945
ISBN: 1572245948
Physical Description: print
xii, 188 pages ; 23 cm
Publisher: Oakland, CA : New Harbinger Publications, ©2009.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 187-188).

Formatted Contents Note:

Foreword -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- For those who are open to help: treatments that work -- Why they refuse help -- Digging out -- How to use this book -- What Is Compulsive Hoarding? -- Defining compulsive hoarding -- Why save that? -- Why People keep hoarding -- How do you know if your loved one has the problem? -- Could it be something else? -- Harm Reduction -- What is harm reduction? -- Applying harm reduction to compulsive hoarding -- Why harm reduction can help -- Setting The Stage For Harm Reduction -- Let go -- Understand -- Forgive -- Grab hold -- Helping Them Accept Help -- Engaging your loved one in the harm reduction approach -- Introducing your loved one to the harm reduction approach -- Assessing Harm Potential -- Conducting the home assessment -- Acquisition pathways -- Identifying harm reduction targets -- Creating A Harm Reduction Plan -- Features of a harm reduction plan -- Putting the harm reduction team together -- Creating the harm reduction plan -- Formalizing the harm reduction contract -- Keeping The Harm Reduction Targets Clear -- Step carefully: seven steps to successful home visits -- Why do you have this here? -- LEARN: listen, empathize, affirm, redirect, and negotiate -- Skills for the long term -- Managing The Bumps In The Road -- Six common reasons for contract failures -- Working through contract failures -- Avoiding contract burnout -- Using appropriate pressure -- Making the best of a public situation -- All In The Family And Other Complications -- When people who hoard live together -- When people who hoard live in assisted-care facilities -- When the person who hoards is an older adult -- How frailty influences harm reduction -- When The Landlord Knocks, And Other Terrors -- There are no "bad guys," only potential team members -- Adult and child protective services -- Health and safety codes -- Guardianship or conservatorship -- Eviction notices -- Clear-out interventions -- Resources -- Recommended reading -- Professionals who can help -- Support groups -- Other resources -- Tips for managing paper, mail, and e-mail -- Where to donate or recycle -- References.