Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging Presents:

The Challenges of Cleanliness, Clutter and Hoarding with Older Adults and their Families

One of the current challenges of working with older adults and their families is keeping households functional for as long as possible. Most older adults desire the highest level of independence possible while their families are concerned about the safety of day to day living arrangements.  An issue which influences this dynamic in families is the amount of “stuff” in the house or apartment.  In addition, service providers are often challenged to provide quality care in environments which may not be ideal from a cleanliness or clutter standpoint.  This workshop examines the issues around cleanliness, clutter and hoarding.  It looks at the psychosocial dynamics of each as well as the possible causes and reasons for the behaviors when they become a barrier to care.  It will provide practical suggestions for assessing situations as well as providing quality care while respecting individual rights.

Learning Objectives:                                                                           

• Provide a uniform definition for the terms we are using to describe behaviors.
• Identify the psychosocial components surrounding cleanliness, clutter in households and hoarding behaviors including the DSM-5 definition of hoarding disorders.
• Describe the assessment tools which look both at the person and the living situations.  Provide tips and suggestions to use in assessment.
• Describe 3 strategies for assisting families to communicate about these issues more effectively.
• Identify 10 practical suggestions to continue to provide quality care in situations where the cluttered conditions are a barrier.

Time: 8:30am – 12:45pm (Registration begins at 8am)

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Speaker: 

Paula Taliaferro, MGS, LSW works at the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging as an Outreach and Educational Specialist.  She has a Master's Degree in Gerontology from Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University and a License in Social Work in the State of Ohio.  She is a PAC Approved Trainer under Teepa Snow's Positive Approach Certification, and she is a developer of the "Aging in Ohio" course which is required of many professionals who work with older adults.  In addition, she is one of two developers of the "Fundamentals of Guardianship" course sponsored by the Ohio Supreme Court's Judicial College. 

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CEU Information: 

• Program is approved for 4.0 continuing education units for LSWs, LISWs, SWA, Nurses (via reciprocity with the SW board).
• The Ohio Board of Nursing will accept sessions approved for Social Workers for Continuing Nurse Education.
• To comply with the State of Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board: Late Arrivals will NOT be admitted.

Views and written materials presented during the presentations are those of the individual presenter and do not necessarily represent the official views and/or opinions of the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging.

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