Calling heath department on hoarding parents?

[Ultralight]

I have had this discussion with my sister a few times now. We both change stances on it each time, even if just a little.

Do you think it is wrong or right to call the authorities about my parents' hoarding if it is an immediate health threat to them or to the community?

[bae]

What authority do the authorities have over this sort of thing in your jurisdiction?

[Ultralight]

What authority do the authorities have over this sort of thing in your jurisdiction?

I don't know really... but my thought is that with all the animals and animal waste and the black mold growing all over and the lack of proper indoor plumbing my parents are just sitting ducks for some kind of bad disease.

[bae]

Where I live, the authorities have very little authority over this sort of thing, and problems like this are generally addressed by concerned family members, friends, and community members.

[herbgeek]

Are you parents elderly and could you get some support from any sort of senior services?

[Ultralight]

Where I live, the authorities have very little authority over this sort of thing, and problems like this are generally addressed by concerned family members, friends, and community members.

I try not to care about them. By that I mean I am trying to emotionally divest from their hoarding problem. This is much harder for my sister, though I obviously struggle with it too. I think the health department could condemn the place. Irony of ironies: My dad used to work for the health department. When we were kids he put a "Condemned for Unsanitary Conditions" sign on the door that he got from work, half in jest. He thought maybe it would make my sister and I clean the place. He couldn't face that it was my mom's hoarding that made it impossible to clean the house. He would also get fed up sometimes and shout: "I am going to take a garbage bag and throw everything in this house away!" My mom would laugh behind his back and say: "Oh...like one garbage bag would do it..."

This was before he decided: "Can't beat'em; join'em!" He became a hoarder too, largely, I think, to adapt to living with my mom.

I also wonder if maybe I could just say: "Look mom & dad, this place is not sanitary. If you do not deal with this situation we (my sis and I) might have to contact the authorities because this is a health hazard to you both."

[Ultralight]

Are you parents elderly and could you get some support from any sort of senior services?

My parents are in their late 60s. Is that still elderly? I am not sure what senior services is. I will google it.

[bae]

I think the health department could condemn the place.

Does the health department condemn private homes not being used for commercial purposes in your jurisdiction?

I also wonder if maybe I could just say: "Look mom & dad, this place is not sanitary. If you do not deal with this situation we (my sis and I) might have to contact the authorities because this is a health hazard to you both."

If my offspring made such a threat to me, I'd throw them off the property, and tell them good luck getting a warrant to have "authorities" with no jurisdiction even make entry to make an inspection.

I would not offer such threats myself unless I knew the specifics of the law in my county, knew the resources of the "authorities", and was willing to never speak with my parents again.

Social engineering is perhaps a nicer method than invoking the power of the "authorities", and may lead to better outcomes.

[Ultralight]

Yes, the health department condemns private property, homes and such. Happens often enough.

Social engineering? What do you mean?

[Ultralight]

Does the health department condemn private homes not being used for commercial purposes in your jurisdiction?




If my offspring made such a threat to me, I'd throw them off the property, and tell them good luck getting a warrant to have "authorities" with no jurisdiction even make entry to make an inspection.

I would not offer such threats myself unless I knew the specifics of the law in my county, knew the resources of the "authorities", and was willing to never speak with my parents again.

Social engineering is perhaps a nicer method than invoking the power of the "authorities", and may lead to better outcomes.

So if your offspring made a "threat" like that, why would you see it as a threat? Why would you not look around (at the animal waste and the black mold everywhere, etc.) and think... "My kid is right. I do need to do something."