Hoarders in Dubbo are being offered a helping hand in decluttering their homes and acquiring fewer material possessions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Catholic Healthcare plans to run a free and 15-week training and support program called Buried in Treasures from Monday.
Its hoarding and squalor manager Mercy Splitt reports hoarding is a behavioural problem involving difficulty in discarding items and excessive buying or acquiring.
She said people with hoarding tendencies could experience distress and anxiety at the thought of throwing their possessions away.
READ ALSO:
The manager said cluttered living conditions could have multiple consequences ranging from an unsafe environment to homelessness.
Ms Splitt said clients were typically receptive to help when managed with empathy.
"We encourage the client to set the agenda," she said.
"You can't force them to get rid of everything that they have hoarded until they are ready.
"They will just replace everything.
"We then work with the client to set up cleaning systems and educate them about routines, supporting new behaviours."
Buried in Treasures will be held at the Catholic Healthcare Wellness Centre at 4 Tony McGrane Place with sessions running from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Participants will undertake the training as a group.
"When people with a similar problem come together it can sometimes reduce isolation and shame," Ms Splitt said.
They will also receive a copy of the book Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving and Hoarding.
To reserve a place in the program call 1800 225 474.
The program is also being run in Waterloo and Lewisham in Sydney, Newcastle and Bathurst.
