73 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for people whose loved ones are hoarders, November 30, 2009
This review is from: Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring (Paperback)
This book fills a gap in published information about hoarding. Other excellent books exist for hoarders themselves or for professionals who treat hoarders, but there has not been a book directed at the people whose loved ones hoard. The authors deal with the frustration family members or friends feel regarding an uncooperative person with excessive clutter. In addition to addressing the emotional toll on those around the hoarder, the book educates readers about hoarding, including setting realistic expectations for changing the situation. Particularly useful is the application of harm reduction theory to hoarding. This examines how friends and family can help the hoarder to minimize health and safety hazards. Digging Out presents a comprehensive, easy to read guide for those who are at their wit's end. No doubt it will be a seminal book for working with hoarders.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"Harm Reduction" For The Elderly Rather Than "STUFF Reduction", April 25, 2011
This review is from: Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring (Paperback)
This book does a very good job clarifying priorities when it comes to clearing the mess of a hoarder (i.e. instead of approaching the situation with a "TOSS EVERYTHING!" attitude, it advocates a "harm reduction" stance, which focuses on maximizing your loved one's safety & comfort over discarding his or her things). It tries to get the reader accustomed to the idea that the hoarder will probably never be as horrified about their living conditions as those around them.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the majority of the book seems to focus on elderly hoarders (that does put a particular slant on the text), which may be positive or negative, depending on the reader. It goes into great lengths discussing the challenges of dealing with a hoarder in the grips of Alzheimer's or dementia or those who have difficulties getting around without the use of walkers or finding their medications in the clutter.
Unfortunately, for people dealing with younger/youngish hoarders, the condescending psycho-babble in the hypothetical discussions is completely off-putting (eye-rolling at times) & would lose any credibility I personally have with my particular hoarder. Additionally, once a "harm reduction team" is gathered (good luck with that), trying to get the hoarder to sign a contract about how to keep one's OWN property is also condescending, intentionally so or not. This book is really a bit better suited for older hoarders (rather than middle-aged or younger ones).
However, these techniques may work for some. Plus, the more flexible "harm reduction" approach over the more staunch "STUFF reduction" method could potentially open more hoarders to purging.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A highly recommended advice guide with an important message, March 15, 2010
This review is from: Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring (Paperback)
You might need it at a later date. "Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, & Compulsive Acquiring" is a guide for those who want to help their friends and family stop their endless collecting of seemingly useless stuff which leads to more problems than that hoard is worth. With tips on convincing them to give up the hoard and living a life with less weight in the house and on their shoulders, "Digging Out" is a highly recommended advice guide with an important message.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
