A senior woman in her 60s at home, sitting in a messy, cluttered room, looking away with a serious expression.A cluttered environment can be hazardous for older adults, causing an elevated risk for falls. Yet new research is showing a connection between decluttering and dementia and how older adults function cognitively.
What Are Some Benefits of Managing Hoarding for Older Adults?
Clutter is a buildup of items on surfaces, on the floor, or overflowing storage containers, in visible or even unseen areas. It’s very easy for clutter to get out of control and to take over a space if not managed properly. Clutter can be made up of beloved items, unnecessary items, or even trash. Many home experts recommend decluttering for people of all ages for the emotional and physical benefits it can provide. Usually, reducing the amount of clutter in a senior’s home is recommended for a number of reasons, including:
- Reducing fall risk. Items in passageways can increase the risk that an older adult may fall. Removing items from walkways, doorways, and near seating areas can help to reduce fall risks.
- Lowering stress. Having less stuff in the home can help create the feeling of a calmer environment that is less stressful.
- Preventing emergency workers from accessing the home. In the event of an emergency, excess clutter may make it difficult for emergency personnel to get into the home to help a senior in distress.
- Improving cleanliness. When items collect around the home, it can be difficult to clean around them. Dust also accumulates on clutter which can increase risk of allergy symptoms.
It’s often believed that a neater, clutter-free environment can also benefit individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia by enabling them to function more easily with fewer distractions. Interestingly, however, a new research study from the University of East Anglia showed a compelling connection between decluttering and dementia: for individuals with moderate dementia, decluttering may not be as beneficial as expected.
The study looked at individuals with different stages of dementia to see how they performed certain tasks, such as preparing tea or a simple meal, in their regular cluttered environment or in a completely clutter-free space. Due to cognitive changes caused by the disease, individuals with dementia may lose the ability to carry out tasks that enable them to remain independent at home. For this reason, it’s been believed that reducing excess clutter should make performing daily tasks easier, but new research shows otherwise.
Researchers studied individuals with mild, moderate, and severe dementia and asked them to complete the same tasks at home and in a simulated home environment free of clutter. People with moderate dementia performed the tasks better with the usual amount of clutter in the home as opposed to the clutter-free environment. For individuals with mild or severe dementia, however, the change in environments didn’t have much of an effect; they performed at same level in both settings. The only factor that affected individuals’ ability to carry out the tasks in each situation was their comprehension and cognitive ability to perform the tasks.
While safety is still necessary for older adults living at home, and decluttering to make sure walkways are clear can be an important part of that, this study shows that removing all clutter in the home may not be necessary to improve daily functioning for individuals with dementia. Overall, people with dementia performed better with these tasks at home despite having clutter around them.
FAQs About Dementia and Hoarding
Is hoarding a sign of dementia?
Not always. Hoarding can stem from lifelong habits, anxiety, grief, or depression. In some cases, dementia-related changes in memory, judgment, or perception can contribute to saving or misplacing items.
What stage of dementia is hoarding most common?
There isn’t a single “hoarding stage.” Saving, stashing, or repeating purchases may appear in early or moderate dementia as memory, planning, and insight change. Severity varies widely by person.
How do I tell the difference between hoarding disorder and clutter related to dementia?
Hoarding disorder typically begins earlier in life and includes strong distress about discarding items. Dementia-related clutter often accompanies new memory loss, difficulty organizing, or confusion about where objects belong. A professional evaluation can help clarify.
Can decluttering help someone with dementia function better?
Clearing walkways and obvious hazards helps with safety. However, some people with moderate dementia perform routine tasks more comfortably in familiar surroundings—even if those surroundings include a typical level of “their” clutter.
What’s a safe first step if the home is very full?
Prioritize safety paths: clear hallways, stairs, exits, and areas around the bed, bathroom, and favorite chair. Remove trip hazards and fire risks before tackling sentimental or complex areas.
How do I reduce conflict when sorting belongings?
Work in short sessions, focus on one small zone, and offer simple choices (“keep or donate?”). Avoid arguing about “why” an item is kept. Celebrate small wins, like clearing a single end table.
What should never be left in cluttered walkways?
Loose rugs, cords, piles of newspapers or packages, unstable stacks, and items at ankle height. Good lighting and grab bars also support safer movement.
Could removing too much create distress?
Yes. Sudden, sweeping cleanouts can feel disorienting and may increase agitation. Aim for gradual changes, keep familiar items visible, and maintain consistent locations for essentials.
When should I call in help?
If safety, sanitation, pests, or blocked exits are concerns—or if discussions are escalating—consider help from a healthcare professional, social worker, or in-home care team experienced with dementia.
Can professional caregivers help manage clutter day to day?
Yes. Caregivers can tidy surfaces, establish simple labeling systems, return essentials to predictable places, and support routines that make the home safer while respecting personal preferences.
With more older adults choosing to age independently in the comfort of home, it’s important to make sure they have a safe and healthy environment that helps them thrive. Nightingale Homecare, a leading provider of in-home nursing care for seniors with dementia, helps families ensure that seniors live an enriching and supported life at home.
Nightingale Homecare’s in-home care professionals are available to help with a variety of tasks, including light housekeeping and helping seniors manage household clutter. Our Connections dementia care program can further help maximize quality of life and cognitive health for individuals with dementia. Contact us today at (602) 926-1157 to learn more about our dementia care in Phoenix and the surrounding areas.