Fedelta Home Care Addresses Mental Health of Elders

Free public seminar focuses on hoarding behavior

Bellevue, WA (PRWEB) May 1, 2005 -- Fedelta Home Care continues addressing the growing need for public education on issues facing our elder population with its second in a series of free seminars called In-Service Sessions."

On May 10, Karen Kent, MSB, LMHC with King County Geriatric Regional Assessment Team will present information about elderly hoarding behavior. She has worked in the field of geriatric mental health for 24 years.

Hoarding is the excessive collection and retention of things or animals until they interfere with day-to-day functions such as home, health, family, work and social life. Severe hoarding causes safety as well as health hazards and often considered a public health concern.

It is estimated older adults represent a significant number of people who hoard. This free session will cover common traits of hoarders, causes, treatment, and interventions.

Experts in other areas will present information in the coming months on such topics as minimizing drug interactions, estate planning and long term care issues. For a complete list of In-Service session dates, visit: www.fedeltahomecare.com/referral.html.

Fedelta Home Care is a Bellevue-based specialist in senior living and care options. The company provides quality, in-home elder care services and is committed to forming collaborative partnerships with the community to help advance the care for seniors.

Fact Sheet
Reasons for Hoarding:
- Items are perceived as valuable
- Items provide a source of security
- Fear of forgetting or losing items
- Constant need to collect and keep things
- Obtaining love not found from people
- Fear others will obtain their personal information
- Physical limitations and frailty
- Inability to organize
- Self neglect
- Stressful life events

General Facts:
- When the majority of baby-boomers hit age 65, their segment of the US population will trigger large increases in the number and percentage of elderly in the next half century
- Record large proportion of elderly persons in the population is expected to increase from 13 to 20 percent by the year 2030
- Cumulative growth of the population 85 years and over from 1995 to 2050 is expected to increase by more than 400 percent
- Studies show 93 percent of seniors indicate a desire to never leave their own residence for alternative living arrangements
- Most seniors will find themselves happier and living more fulfilling lives if they are able to remain in their own home instead of a group home
- The need and cost of support of dependant elderly can be mitigated by substituting home care for nursing home care by private caregivers

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