Finding Fresh Possibilities at Home 

July 21, 2026

When Kristin first heard about Full Life Care’s Addressing Clutter and Hoarding Program (ACHP), she was not sure what to expect. The program, part of Full Life Care’s Housing Stabilization and Supports department, supports residents in Seattle Housing Authority’s senior housing portfolio who are working toward safer, more livable homes. After a neighbor encouraged her to learn more, she decided to take the first step.

Understanding the Impact of Hoarding 

Hoarding can affect people from all walks of life, but it often becomes more severe with age. According to Dr. Catherine Ayers, a clinical consultant for Full Life Care’s ACHP

program and a hoarding disorder expert at the University of California San Diego, hoarding is estimated to affect about 6% of the population, a rate that is higher than many other mental health conditions. 

“The severity and number of people screening positive for hoarding increases significantly with age,” Ayers said, adding that older adults are often among those with the most severe cases. 

For many people, hoarding is not simply about having too many belongings. Ayers described hoarding disorder as chronic and progressive, meaning symptoms often worsen over time. Clutter can affect daily life, social support and housing stability, including whether a home remains usable, accessible for repairs or inspections and safe from concerns such as pests or fire hazards. 

Support That Goes Beyond Sorting

That is where ACHP’s approach is different. Rather than focusing only on removing items, the program uses a multidisciplinary approach that directly treats hoarding disorder and is designed to support long-term progress and symptom reduction, according to Ayers. The goal is to help participants address the core symptoms of hoarding while building skills that support safer, more livable homes over time. 

Small Steps Toward Change 

Since joining the program in October 2025, Kristin has met one-on-one with Meghan Hickey, Clinical Service Coordinator, to sort through belongings, clear space and slowly bring more order back into her home. Each session has helped her take another manageable step forward, from deciding what to keep to creating a home that feels calmer, safer and easier to enjoy.

“The fact that I was ready to part with my belongings … ACHP encouraged me to get rid of generational junk,” Kristin said. 

The work is not always easy, especially between sessions, but Kristin continues to make meaningful progress and celebrate each step along the way. 

“It has been wonderful, a real godsend,” Kristin said. “She helps me see the forest through the trees.” 

Today, Kristin calls herself “a work in progress,” but she also said she feels happier in her home and encourages others to reach out for support when they are ready.