Hoarding Disorder Impairs Low-Income Older Adults

A California study links hoarding disorder among low-income older adults to widespread daily-life and cognitive impairment.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Home Organization

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a worn armchair against a bare wall, its seat piled with folded fabric, in a quiet pale room. — A California study of 169 low-income older adults with hoarding disorder found 49 percent showed clinically significant impairment in daily functioning. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

A study of 169 adults with hoarding disorder in California found that 49% of participants showed clinically significant functional impairment. Researchers assessed participants in their homes before they began treatment.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that hoarding disorder in low-income older adults is closely tied to difficulties with everyday functioning, which may affect how treatment and support services are designed. Understanding this link can help clinicians and caregivers identify people who need more help.

The study measured 169 low-income adults with hoarding disorder, with a mean age of 69 and annual incomes of $16,000 or less. Impairment was assessed on the WHODAS and ADL-H, and the extraction does not report how these results compare with other populations.

The players

The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry

A peer-reviewed journal that publishes research on mental health conditions affecting older adults.

University of Maine

A public research university in Orono, Maine, where the lead researcher is based.

The details

Researchers analyzed data from adults with hoarding disorder in California, most of whom were women and uninsured or enrolled in Medi-Cal or Medi-Cal/Medicare. Hoarding severity and impairment were measured with the Saving Inventory-Revised, Clutter Image Rating, and Activities of Daily Living in Hoarding.

November 12, 2026: Core study findings are dated to this period.
December 2026: The study was published in the print issue of The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Home Context

The study's participants were largely enrolled in Medi-Cal or Medi-Cal/Medicare, California's Medicaid program for low-income residents. Its findings point to the functional burden hoarding disorder can place on that population.

For older adults in California who struggle with clutter, the study suggests that daily-life difficulties may be significant and worth discussing with a doctor. Families may find it useful to look for support that addresses both home organization and everyday functioning.

The takeaway

If an older adult in your life has trouble managing clutter at home, consider whether daily tasks like bathing, cooking, or paying bills are also becoming harder. Raising these concerns with a healthcare provider can help connect them to appropriate support.