Overwhelmed by Accumulation 

“Laura” and “Charles” live in this cute bungalow. Charles got sick and Laura took care of him. Eventually, it got to be too much work for Laura; she started having trouble keeping up with the housework and taking care of Charles. And when Charles was hospitalized, Laura had even less available time and energy. more. . .

The Paper Collector

This is a bedroom piled almost to the ceiling with used paper towels and toilet paper.  Three rooms within this house were in this same condition, creating tremendous odors and  a significant health hazard.  more. . .

OCDC Hazard

“Elaine” is a 90-year-old woman who had lived alone for over 15 years in her trendy two story town home in an upscale Chicago neighborhood.  She was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder that manifested as a need for her to keep, or “hoard,” all of her garbage. more. . .

Recovery

“Mary” is a lady in her mid seventies who was diagnosed with advanced Alzheimers Disease.  She had been placed in a nursing home by the local hospital after they had treated her on an emergency basis.  Mary’s family reported that she owned several pieces of real estate, but they believed those may have been sold for back taxes.  In the mean time, her nursing home bill was accumulating and there were no arrangements in place to pay for her care.  more. . .

Skeletons

”Sophie” is an elderly lady who is living in a nursing home, having been sent there by a hospital several years ago with the diagnosis of severe dementia.  She was penniless and unable to pay her nursing home bill, which had climbed to over $125,000.00 during her stay.  Sophie did not even own her own underwear or pajamas.   more. . .