(NewsNation) — A new Senate report warns that hoarding disorder among older Americans is on the rise, calling for urgent national action.
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Penn., chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, released the report, marking the first time Congress has addressed the condition.
“My report is a first step to raising awareness of hoarding disorder,” Casey told Axios.
Hoarding disorder, a mental health condition characterized by difficulty parting with possessions, affects about 2% of the general U.S. population and 6% of adults older than 70. As America’s population ages, experts predict the prevalence will increase.
The disorder can create dangerous living conditions, leading to health problems, social isolation and difficulties for first responders in emergencies. It can also affect public health through mold or infestation issues that spread to neighboring spaces.
The report criticizes federal agencies for insufficient action. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Administration for Community Living lack specific programs addressing hoarding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers no recent online resources on the topic.
To address the growing concern, the report recommends:
- Improved data collection on hoarding’s impact on older adults and first responders
- Public awareness campaigns
- Federal training and assistance for local service providers
- Expanded Medicare and Medicaid coverage for hoarding treatments
- Direct engagement with affected individuals and their families
The report says that America’s aging population will require the federal government to prioritize previously overlooked issues, with hoarding disorder among them.