Have you ever popped around a loved one’s home and been shocked at how many belongings they have piled up or strewn across their floors? When you mention the clutter, do they seem to disagree with you? In situations like this, you may wonder if your relative could be hoarding. Helping them handle it may not be as easy as merely calling a junk removal service for them because they’re emotionally attached to the items. Here are some tips on how you can sensitively talk to them about their situation.

3 Ways to Talk to a Loved One About Hoarding

1. Use Conversational Questions

Remember, these are items they love and cherish; otherwise, they wouldn’t have kept them in the first place. Help them realize that they don’t live in a healthy environment by asking probing questions such as, “How do you feel about your home?” or “Would you like some help getting organized?”; or “It would be fun to go through everything in this room—I wonder what you have in here.” Certainly, don’t imply that what they have is trash or is ready for junk removal.

2. Be Encouraging

You never know, they may have made some effort to clear their belongings. Encourage them and speak positively about the benefits of clearing some space. Will they gain a room back? What about being able to invite people around again? Can they enjoy a beautiful view from a window? Focusing on the good that can come of it will make this sound like an exciting project rather than a chore.

3. Abstain from Judgement

You won’t sound sincere, and they won’t know you want to help them, if you look or sound judgmental, for example, don’t make faces at the mess or make negative remarks. This is someone you love, and they need to feel they have a safe environment to speak freely about why they hoard—give them that opportunity and work with them to approach this in their own time.

If you live in the Chicago Metropolitan area and need a removal service, look no further than Red’s Hauling Service, in Chicago, IL. With over 20 years’ experience in the business, this professional team offers superior service from start to finish at an affordable price. Whether you have a junk removal task or a major hoarder cleanup project, call in the experts to get the job quickly and efficiently. Visit their website or call (773) 616-0979 today for a free estimate.