Melissa Hladek, Expert on Hoarding Disorders Talks About Addressing Hazards In the Home & Aging In Place

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Melissa Hladek, a hoarding remediation expert, shares her career journey and insights into hoarding disorder.
She explains that hoarding is a result of one decision at a time and a lack of follow-through.
Hoarding disorder is a specific medical diagnosis characterized by a lack of insight. Melissa emphasizes the importance of addressing safety hazards in hoarded homes, such as fall risks and poor air quality.
She discusses the initial steps she takes when working with a client, which include listening, assessing the structure, contents, and person, and focusing on short-term safety and long-term quality of life.
Melissa also highlights the emotional and psychological aspects of decluttering and the importance of empathy and collaboration among professionals in healthcare and mental health support.
She advocates for the creation of a licensed professional organizer designation to address hoarding behaviors effectively.
Melissa encourages professionals to report hoarding cases and work together to provide comprehensive support.
She also mentions a petition she created to establish a licensed professional organizer designation.
Takeaways
Hoarding disorder is characterized by a lack of insight and a result of one decision at a time and a lack of follow-through.
Safety hazards in hoarded homes include fall risks and poor air quality.
The initial steps in working with a hoarding client involve listening, assessing the structure, contents, and person, and focusing on short-term safety and long-term quality of life.
Addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of decluttering requires empathy and collaboration among professionals in healthcare and mental health support.
Creating a licensed professional organizer designation can provide comprehensive support for individuals with hoarding disorder.
Professionals should report hoarding cases and work together to address hoarding behaviors effectively.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Career Journey
05:53 Understanding Hoarding Disorder and Its Manifestation
12:08 Addressing Safety Hazards in Hoarded Homes
15:05 The Initial Steps in Working with Hoarding Clients
23:13 The Importance of Collaboration among Professionals
28:53 Advocating for a Licensed Professional Organizer Designation
Website: America's Most Organized
Sign Her Petition: Petition · Establish Licensed Professional Organizer (LPO) as a Recognized Allied Health Profession - United States · Change.org

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