Step into the flat of an elderly hoarder, and it’s hard to know where the different areas are. Everywhere you turn are piles of newspapers, broken furniture and bags of belongings. The air is stuffy and smells of funk, and there’s barely enough space left to walk. A narrow path weaves through the clutter, the only passage in and out of the flat.
Neighbours start to complain about pests, and concerned family members worry about the occupant’s health and fire hazards. But when asked to clear things out, they simply shake their head, “Everything has value, I cannot throw it away.”
Unpacking the psychological triggers of hoarding: OCD to grief
Image credit: C3A
Hoarding isn’t just about being messy, or “not knowing how to clean up”. It’s actually a recognised psychological condition, one that can be tied to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression, or even grief. For many of those afflicted by any, or all of these, every object carries meaning, like a memory, a sense of security, or a “just in case” mindset that makes the thought of letting go incredibly painful.
It’s worth noting the difference:
- Clutter is your everyday mess. A pile of laundry or a messy desk that can be sorted out when needed.
- Collecting is more intentional, like someone who proudly curates their Labubu, posters, or comic book toys.
- Hoarding is when the accumulation becomes overwhelming, unsafe, and distressing to the point where it disrupts daily living.
In Singapore, cases of extreme hoarders make headlines when their items spill beyond the walls of a flat. They’re easily spotted, with common corridors lined with stacks of cardboard, and the flat is stacked to the ceiling with belongings.
In the close quarters of HDB living, where every square foot counts and neighbours live just a wall away, hoarding is almost impossible to ignore.
The scarcity mindset
Image credit: National Library Singapore
For many among Singapore’s older generation, hoarding isn’t just a quirk, but rooted in lived experience. Some would have lived through the war or the ensuing post-war years, when food and essentials were rationed; others grew up in the early days of Singapore’s independence, when every dollar had to be stretched.
They were taught never to waste, to save everything “just in case.”
That thriftiness helped an entire generation get through those difficult years. But carried into today’s context in an HDB flat, that same instinct can skew into hoarding. The containers, clothing, and old newspapers that we see as trash are not, in their opinion, clutter but items that still hold value.
Layered on top of this is the cultural stigma of addressing mental health. Talking about it, much less admitting to having a condition like hoarding disorder, is still uncomfortable for many people, especially the elderly.
“Seniors are less willing to seek help, may refuse medication over fear of side effects or cost, and feel self-conscious about going to a therapist or peer support group. Seeking help can feel shameful or unnecessary,”an NUS insight article reported.
For some elderly folk, keeping objects becomes a coping mechanism for loneliness, grief, or the fear of mortality. As they attach sentimental value to these belongings, letting go grows even harder; and over time, their flats turn into storage spaces for both memories and anxieties.
How HDB living contributes to hoarding
Image credit: Bhai Hafiz Angullia
Hoarding disorder, in plain terms, is when someone feels an overwhelming need to keep things, even if those things are broken, expired, or no longer useful. Throwing items away causes real anxiety, so these people tend to hang on to everything, convinced that one day they might be needed.
The mindset is often rooted in fear and attachment. What looks like a pile of junk to others may feel like security to the hoarder: old newspapers that might come in handy, plastic containers that could still be useful, or clothes that hold sentimental value. The thought of losing these items can cause them deep distress.
For many elderly people, this is often compounded by other struggles. Loneliness, grief, and a loss of independence can make hoarding feel like a way to maintain some control over their lives. Each object becomes a memory, or a small barrier against change.
The real risks of hoarding for families & neighbours
Image credit: Tom Goh
What starts as a private struggle inside a flat can quickly spill over into the lives of others. Hoarding comes with very real risks, not just for the hoarder, but for their families and neighbours too.
Safety is the most obvious concern. Flats crammed with paper, furniture, or electrical appliances can become fire hazards, with narrow pathways making escape difficult. Piles of clutter also attract pests like cockroaches, bed bugs, and rats, creating health risks that extend beyond one household.
For families, hoarding can strain relationships. Arguments erupt when children try to clear their parents’ homes, only to be met with resistance or distress. Loved ones worry constantly, torn between respecting their elders’ wishes and keeping them safe.
On a larger scale, hoarding complicates estate management. Town councils and HDB officers often have to intervene, especially when clutter spills into common corridors or stairwells.
Although such interventions aim to protect residents, they can feel intrusive or heavy-handed, leaving hoarders feeling misunderstood, unheard, and even more resistant to help.
Tips to help those who hoard
Image credit: Helping Joy
In Singapore, dealing with a loved one’s hoarding isn’t just a family matter. When clutter becomes a safety or hygiene risk, town councils and HDB can step in, often with support from social services and grassroots organisations.
Volunteer groups like Helping Joy also help declutter and refresh homes after referrals, carrying out clean-ups that can take several days.
However, experts warn that hoarding isn’t solved by a one-time cleanup. Forcing belongings away often backfires, leaving residents resistant or traumatised.
A compassionate approach works better: understanding the meaning attached to objects and guiding the hoarder gradually can improve safety and quality of life. Families can help by tackling small sections at a time or donating items, showing that possessions aren’t wasted.
Hoarding is more than “clearing junk.” Supporting the hoarder with patience and empathy allows them to work through the fears and emotions tied to their belongings. Therefore progress, though slow, is possible.
Understanding why people hoard
At first glance, it’s easy to dismiss hoarding as simply being messy, dirty, or even lazy, but the truth is far more complex. Hoarding often stems from deep psychological struggles, shaped by generational habits and life experiences that others may never fully comprehend.
For many elderly people, holding on to objects is a way to cling to familiarity in a fast-changing world that has often forgotten or left them behind.
That’s why the first step isn’t judgment but understanding. When we take the time to ask why instead of only focusing on what, we open the door to helping our elderly live in cleaner, safer, and more dignified homes.
For more Singaporean stories:
- My HDB flat was infested with beg bugs
- 7 notorious neighbours who made headlines for the wrong reasons
- Our HDB flat burned down, which left us with $60K of damages
Cover image adapted from: Raining Rita, Helping Joy
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