Social worker holds event to help people understand hoarding

The event “Essential Things Seniors Should Know About Hoarding” is taking place at the Lincoln Branch of the Detroit Public Library on Thursday, May 8.

It’s organized by Brenda McGadney, an expert in aging. As a social worker, her focus was gerontology. But she says her work did not prepare her to deal with the disease her mother struggled with as she aged.

Almost 3% of the population is affected by ‘hoarding disorder.’ It’s more common in people over 60 and those dealing with other psychological issues, especially anxiety and depression.

McGadney’s 94-year-old mother died after she fell in a home where she had been hoarding for many years. She shared her story with WDET’s Sascha Raiyn ahead of the event. 

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