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OC Task
Force on Hoarding
Upcoming Events
The Orange County Task Force on
Hoarding is a collaborative effort of diverse community
organizations and representatives who seek to identify
and understand the issues, difficulties and causes of
human hoarding behavior, to educate the public of these
behaviors, and to develop humane options and innovative
interventions.
Hoarding
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The acquisition of, and failure to
discard, a large number of possessions that appear
to be useless or of limited value
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Living spaces that can’t be used
for the intended purpose due to clutter
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Significant distress or impairment
in functioning caused by the hoarding
Possible Signs of Hoarding Behavior
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Blocked entries and exits
(doors/windows)
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Narrow or limited pathways in the
home due to accumulation of materials
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Large piles of combustible
materials such as newspapers, magazines, used food
containers and rubbish
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Excessive collection and storage
of items in the residence or yard that interferes
with the intended use of that space
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Foul odors emanating from the home
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Excessive amount of companion
animals
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Vermin and/or insect infestations
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Spoiled and/or rotting food
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Accumulated human and/or animal
waste
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Non-working or inaccessible
utilities, such as heat, running water, sewer,
refrigeration
Participants in Orange County Task
Force on Hoarding
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Adult Protective Service Workers
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Animal Control Officials
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Senior Service Providers
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Code Enforcement Officials
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Health and Mental Health
Professionals
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Fire Department Representatives
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Housing Representatives
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Professional Organizers
Task Force Goals
Task Force Core Values
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Respect the Individual
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Hoarders are suffering from
problems beyond their ability to cope or resolve
without significant assistance
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Causes of the behavior may be
varied, multidimensional, and even multigenerational
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Each individual requires a
compassionate, individualized assessment and
services
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Hoarders deserve the same courtesy
and respect that we ourselves expect
Respond as a Community
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Hoarding affects both the
individual and the community and thus requires
community response
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Service Providers should be aware
that there are a variety of community responders and
work as a team in addressing issues related to
hoarding
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Service Providers should be
knowledgeable of the multiple factors contributing
to hoarding behavior and methods to effect positive
outcomes
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Forced interventions should only
occur as result of severe health, safety and/or
legal issues
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Health professionals should always
be with client during or immediately following
forced interventions
Task Force Meets Monthly
4th Thursday of each month
(dark each December)
9 am-10:30 am
at: Council on Aging—Orange County
1971 E. 4th Street, Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 479-0107
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The Task Force Meeting originally scheduled
for Thursday, September 25th,
2008, has been canceled due to the 2008
Orange County Summit on Hoarding being held
on Friday, September, 26th,
2008. Please download announcement for
details.
The October Task Force Meeting will be held
on its regularly scheduled 4th
Thursday, October 23rd.
The November and December meetings of the
task force will be combined and held on
Thursday, December 4th. |
Online Resources
The Obsessive Compulsive (OC) Foundation
Clutterer’s
Anonymous
National Association of
Professional Organizers
National Study Group of
Chronic Disorganization
For more information on the OC Task Force on Hoarding:
County of Orange Health Care
Agency/Behavioral Health Services
Older Adult Services
P.O. Box 355, Santa Ana, CA 92702
(714) 972-3700
For Help in Orange County:
Health Care Agency—(714) 972-3700
Social Services Agency—(800) 451-5155
Office on Aging—(800) 510-2020
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