What is Level 4 hoarding?

Level 4: Structural Damage, Sewage Issues and Unusable Rooms Individuals that have reached this level of hoarding often go weeks without bathing. They usually are suffering from a mental health crisis and cannot see that their situation is dangerous or unsanitary.

spauldingdecon.com - 5 Stages of Hoarding Explained - Spaulding Decon

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Hoarding is a serious condition that involves the obsessive collection of personal items or trash because there is a perceived need to keep them. Emotional, physical, financial and legal consequences can result from this irrational compulsion to save and store things of no real value. These consequences not only affect the hoarder but have rippling consequences for all the people in the hoarder’s life. The National Study on Compulsive Disorganization developed a scale to define the levels of hoarding to help professionals and family members understand the hoarding situations with which they are confronted. There are 5 stages of hoarding with progressive stages being more severe than the previous. The 5 stages of hoarding are:

Level 1: The Least Severe Level with Few Indicators

Level 2: Noticeable Object Collection and Embarrassment with Visitors

Level 3: Odors, Poor Hygiene, and Narrowed Hallways

Level 4: Structural Damage, Sewage Issues, and Unusable Rooms

Level 5: Fire Hazards, No Electricity or Running Water and Accumulated Human Feces

Level 1: The Least Severe Level with Few Indicators

This is the least severe level of hoarding, but it goes beyond simple collecting because objects and belongings are not organized and displayed. There are few indicators that this level of hoarding is occurring because the condition may be hidden due to a lack of visible clutter, although most appropriate storage areas in the house are jam packed with items. Cabinets, closets, storage sheds and bookshelves are filled to the max. The individual that is a level 1 hoarder finds throwing items away difficult and does an unreasonable amount of shopping for items that are not needed. A level 1 situation may appear as follows:

Light clutter

No noticeable odors

All doorways and staircases are accessible

No more than three areas with managed animal waste throughout the home

Level 2: Noticeable Object Collection and Embarrassment with Visitors

When a hoarder has reached level 2, they begin avoiding visitors due to embarrassment, stress or anxiety regarding their hoarded items. This level is when typical hoarding characteristics start to become noticeable. Signs that a hoarder has reached level 2 include:

At least one blocked exit

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One major appliance is out of order

The ventilation system has been malfunctioning for at least six months creating rooms with no cooling or heating due to clutter Clutter has accumulated in walkways and is noticeably excessive in one or more rooms There is limited housekeeping due to inaccessibility, and light mildew exists in bathrooms or kitchens

Level 3: Odors, Poor Hygiene and Narrowed Hallways

At this level, hoarders typically have very poor personal hygiene and are suffering from emotional distress. These two situations often contribute to weight control issues. A level 3 hoarder will become extremely defensive of their living situation when confronted and often rationalizes their living situation because they cannot see the dangers present within their home. Level 3 hoarding can include the following:

Clutter and household items accumulating outside of the home

Two or more household appliances have been in disrepair for six months

One area of the home shows light structural damage

There is an excessive number of pets

Living spaces have been neglected and cannot be tidied up

A visible rodent, flea or spider infestation

Narrowed hallways

At least one unusable bedroom or bathroom

Accumulation of excessive dust and dirty clothing

Extremely soiled flooring

Noticeable odors exist in the home

Level 4: Structural Damage, Sewage Issues and Unusable Rooms

Individuals that have reached this level of hoarding often go weeks without bathing. They usually are suffering from a mental health crisis and cannot see that their situation is dangerous or unsanitary. Signs that level 4 hoarding is occurring are:

Noticeable mold and mildew throughout the home

Structural damage to the home that is at least six months old

Sewage issues

At least three areas with excessive and aging animal waste

Multiple rooms have become unusable

Spoiled and rotting food in kitchen areas

Fleas, lice, bed bugs and other major pest infestations

More than one exit is blocked

Level 5: Fire Hazards, No Electricity or Running Water and Accumulated Human Feces This is the most severe type of hoarding, and individuals at this level may not be able to live in their own home, nor can their home be salvaged for future habitation. Human and animal waste is often collected in containers that cannot be disposed of down the toilet yet remain in and around the home. Level 5 hoarding situations often meet the following criteria:

Severe structural damage to the home

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Broken or crumbling walls

Major fire hazards throughout the home such as paper accumulation around open flames

No electricity or running water due to neglect

Clutter on every surface, hallway and floorspace

A noticeable accumulation of human and animal feces

Most spaces in the home are inaccessible

The Effects of Hoarding

The effects of hoarding go beyond the mess that has arisen. As a hoarder progresses through the levels of hoarding, there are serious safety concerns regarding sanitation and safety. Not only are the hoarders themselves a victim in these situations, the loved ones and neighbors of the hoarder are as well. While hoarding can impact all ages and demographics, it is often seen in older individuals. In severe cases, individuals become reclusive and isolate themselves from friends and family. Unintended death can result from the unsafe conditions created by a hoarding situation. While the hoarding levels presented help to identify different levels of severity inherent in the condition, each person’s specific situation will be different. Hoarding is serious, and it must be handled in the right way. At Spaulding Decon, our trained biohazard remediation professionals know how to clean up a hoarder’s home and we understand the emotional attachment that exists to the belongings. Our teams can create custom cleanup plans while working with mental health professionals to ensure that your loved ones get the help and support they need during the difficult cleanup process.

Levels of Hoarding Links

To find a Spaulding Decon hoarding cleanup team nearest you:

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spauldingdecon.com - 5 Stages of Hoarding Explained - Spaulding Decon

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