My parent has always saved a large number of items. Since my other parent passed away, the clutter has become overwhelming. Do you have suggestions on how I can help?

Unfortunately, hoarding disorder or clutter addiction is a problem that has become increasingly common in the U.S. It impacts approximately 6% of individuals age 65 or older. The disorders can vary from moderate clutter to severe hoarding classified as a mental health concern, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Here is what you should know along with some tips and resources that can help your parent.

Why People Hoard

The reason most people hoard is because they have an extreme sentimental attachment to their possessions or they believe they might need their items at a later date. Hoarding can also be a sign that an older person is depressed, anxious or showing early symptoms of dementia.

Common problems for individuals who live in excessive clutter are tripping, falling and injuring themselves, as well as having difficulty keeping track of bills and medications. They may also encounter environmental hazards like mold, mildew, dust and the presence of insects and rodents.

What to Do

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) offers a free resource known as the “Clutter to Hoarding Scale,” an assessment tool to help you gauge your parent’s situation. You can download it by visiting ChallengingDisorganization.org, navigating to the “Resources & Tools” tab and then clicking on the “Clutter-Hoarding Scale”.

 There are several things you can do if you find that your parent exhibits a moderate cluttering problem. Begin by having a conversation with them, expressing your concern for their health and safety and offering your assistance to help them declutter. If they accept, most professional organizers recommend decluttering in small steps. Take one room at a time or even a portion of a room at a time. This will help prevent your parent from feeling overwhelmed.

Before you start, designate three piles or boxes for your parent’s belongings – one pile is for items they want to keep and put away, another is for items they want to donate and the last pile is the throwaway pile. You and your parent will need to determine which pile to place things in as you work. If there is a struggle with multiple sentimental items that are not being used, suggest keeping only one item for memory’s sake and give away the rest to family members who will use them. You will also need to help your parent set up a system for organizing the items kept and new possessions. 

Find Help

If you need help with decluttering and organizing, consider hiring a professional organizer who can come to your parent’s home to help you prioritize, organize and remove the clutter. The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO.net) and the ICD (ChallengingDisorganization.org) both offer directories on their websites to help you locate a professional in your area.

If your parent’s excessive clutter significantly impacts their daily functioning, or is causing financial difficulties, health problems or other issues, you will need to seek professional help. Therapy or antidepressants may help with issues such as anxiety, depression and other feelings that may underline hoarding tendencies. Be sure to have your parent consult their primary physician to determine if these options are appropriate for them.

To locate assistance in your area, search online for companies that provide free education, counseling and referral services for older adults and their families managing excessive clutter. Use keywords like “organizational management” to locate organizations near you. For help with extensive cleanup needs, consider searching online for specialized cleanup local companies that primarily focus on hoarding and clutter clean up.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Medicare provides coverage for both outpatient and inpatient mental health care services and programs to help beneficiaries with anxiety, depression and other mental health needs. Here is what you should know.

Outpatient Coverage

If you are enrolled in original Medicare, your Part B coverage will pay 80% of the costs for mental health services after you have met the annual Part B deductible of $257. The covered services include counseling and mental health care provided outside a hospital. This includes visits to a doctor’s or therapist’s office, hospital outpatient departments or community health centers. These services can also be received via telehealth providers. The remaining 20% of costs will be the beneficiary’s responsibility or may be covered by a Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) Policy.

Medicare also gives the expanded option of getting treatment through a variety of health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. To be eligible for this coverage, you must choose a participating provider that accepts Medicare assignment, which means they accept Medicare’s approved amount as full payment for a service.

If you choose a nonparticipating provider who accepts Medicare but does not agree to Medicare’s payment schedule, you may be responsible for up to 35% of costs. Additionally, if you choose a provider that has opted out of Medicare, you will be responsible for the entire cost.

To locate a mental health care professional in your area that accepts Medicare, go to Medicare.gov/care-compare, click on “Doctors & clinicians” and type in your location, followed by “clinical psychologist” or “psychiatry” in the Name or Keyword box. You can also get this information by calling Medicare at 800-633-4227.

Inpatient Coverage

If you need mental health services provided in a general or psychiatric hospital, original Medicare Part A covers these services after you have met your Part A deductible of $1,676. Your doctor will determine which type of hospital setting you will need. If you receive care in a psychiatric hospital, Medicare covers up to 190 days of inpatient care for your lifetime. If you have reached your 190-day limit but need additional care, Medicare may cover additional inpatient care at a general hospital.

Additional Coverage

In addition to outpatient and inpatient mental health services, Medicare will pay for one depression screening per year which can be done in a primary care doctor’s office or clinic. If you have a Medicare prescription drug plan, most medications used to treat mental health conditions are covered too.

Medicare Advantage Coverage

If you get your Medicare benefits through a private Medicare Advantage plan, the plan will provide the same coverage as original Medicare but may impose different rules and will likely require you to see an in-network provider. You should contact your plan directly for details.

For more information, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and request a copy of publication #10184 Medicare & Your Mental Health Benefits, or read it online at Medicare.gov.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Excessive amounts of earwax can cause health problems including hearing loss or ringing in the ear. This can exacerbate other issues since hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline and an increased risk of depression. Earwax buildup can also cause individuals to experience vertigo, which increases the risk of falls.

Earwax is a substance called cerumen that binds with dirt, dust and debris that is normally produced by the body to cleanse and protect the ears. For most individuals, the self-cleaning process is sufficient. But in others, including more than 30% of elderly and disabled individuals, earwax accumulates to the extent that it entirely blocks or impacts the ear canal.

The most affected are the elderly, with higher risks associated with individuals living in nursing homes or assisted living centers. Those who use hearing-aids are considered at highest at risk because the devices can push wax down into the canal.

Earwax Removal

Usually, earwax moves up and out on its own so the best way to control it is to leave it alone. However, that advice can sometimes backfire for those who accumulate excessive amounts of earwax.

The symptoms of an earwax problem can include an earache, a feeling of fullness in the ear, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, an ear infection, ear itchiness or a cough due to pressure from the blockage stimulating a nerve in the ear. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult with your doctor about using a softening agent to help the wax leave the ear or to remove it more easily.

If you prefer a milder approach, talk with your doctor about using baby oil or mineral oil. Using an eyedropper, place a drop or two into your ear, tilt your head so the ear is pointing up toward the ceiling and stay in that position for a minute or two to let the fluid flow down to the buildup. Once that is done, tilt your head in the opposite direction to let the fluid and wax drain.

Alternatively, try an over-the-counter earwax removal solution or kit, which are sold in most pharmacies. Most solution contain a form of peroxide, and some kits include a bulb syringe that you squeeze to flush your ear with warm water, if needed.

You may need to repeat this wax-softening and irrigation procedure several times before getting rid of the excess earwax. If the symptoms do not improve after a few treatments, you should see your healthcare provider or an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor to have the wax removed. Earwax removal is one of the most common ENT procedures performed. They have a variety of tools that can remove hard, stubborn earwax.

It might be tempting to poke a cotton swab, bobby pin, pencil or finger into your ear to get the gunk out, but it is best to refrain. While doing so could remove some of the wax, it may also push the wax deeper into the ear canal and increase the risk of injuring your eardrum and making the problem worse.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.