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17 · Thursday, July 22, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Hoarders often have mental illness Continued from page 16 obsessive-compulsive disorder. "People with Diogenes syndrome have extreme personal neglect, extreme domestic neglect, might have excessive hoarding, social withdrawal, refusal of assistance and lack of concern about living conditions," Zsoldos said. She said the link between hoarding and mental illness is common in clients. "Half of the cases have some mental issue, such as schizophrenia, most have obsessive-compulsive disorder," Zsoldos said. "Why it is a difficult population to serve is because they show a lack of concern about living conditions. You and I, if we walked in there, it wouldn't be up to our standards. But it is their choice and they need help to clean up." The Gatekeepers program works in different ways, depending on the client. An initial meeting is done with the consent of the potential client to determine the course of action. Sometimes all that is needed is a thorough cleanup of the house or apartment. Other times, counselling is also needed and subsequently arranged through the Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton or the Halton Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Program. Staff also works with the clients to ensure personal aspects like pension supplement and access to a family doctor is in order. "Because they don't always open their mail or put their mail in the garbage, they may not be getting all their pension entitlement," Zsoldos said. "These are people who also don't usually go to medical appointments, they are not connected with the social and mental health system at all, so we don't just clean up, we do an entire assessment to see what else they need." There is no time or funding limitations per client, which makes the program special, according to Megan Tolan, a case manager with the Gatekeepers program in Halton. Tolan has been working with Wilma since last August. She said she has seen a lot of progress in the senior. "I've seen a change in her," Tolan said. "It is easier now to get her to throw things away. She has been progressing and it is working. Every week, it (the apartment) is getting better and it isn't getting any worse." Tolan meets with Wilma for approximately one hour every week. A cleaning company came twice last summer to take larger items and garbage. However, that was only the start. Together, Tolan and Wilma tackle one pile in a designated area each week. The women are working through the PHOTOS BY NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER CLEANING UP INSIDE AND OUT: The apartment of a Halton senior who is a hoarder is crammed full. Halton Gatekeepers is helping not only with the cleanup, but also counselling of the senior. apartment one space at a time. Once or twice a month, a social worker from the Anxiety Treatment Centre accompanies Tolan and talks to Wilma about hoarding. A social work student also comes roughly once a month to lend a hand. "One of things Gatekeepers is good at is encouraging me," Wilma said. "I need the moral support because you cannot do it yourself. I get overwhelmed on my own, so the social workers from Gatekeepers are fantastic at saying `We'll do this little bit here' and they help me do it." Wilma said being involved in the cleaning is helping her battle her hoarding tendencies. "We threw out a whole bookcase of magazines and about 30 bags of garbage and newspapers when we first started," she said. "I had over 700 food books, as well, so I've been giving those away. We've donated boxes and boxes of books." Besides the loads of clutter removed from her apartment, Wilma said she has also had loads of pressure taken off her shoulders. "I am starting to feel better," she said. "It is stressful having clutter everywhere. This is a wonderful program and it is making a difference. I've still got a long way to go, but I've come a long way." To learn more or make a referral, contact Catholic Family Services of Hamilton at 905-527-3823, ext. 279 or visit www.cfshw.com. Referrals can be made by anyone, and should include the name, address and phone number of the senior in need. ORGANIC YOGA 802 Southdown Rd., Unit #1, Mississauga Specializes in: Helping Families Every Step of the Way! Acorn Family Health and Wellness · Fertility Issues · Low Back/Neck Pain · Sciatica · Posture and Osteoarthritis Why do you pay more for yoga? All Classes $10 / Small Class Size Regular temperature and Inclusive atmosphere 10% of profit is donated to charities www.myorganicyoga.com · Pediatrics · Pre and Postnatal Care · Naturally Turning Breech Babies · Headaches/Migraines Wellness care for the entire family! Thank you for the nominations... best chiropractor and best chiropractic clinic. 245 Wyecroft Road, Unit 2, Oakville, ON (Prana Yoga & Wellness Studios) 416-270-8768 Family Chiropractor/Acupuncturist Dr. Jenna Davis 905.334.0975 www.acornhealth.ca