View the webinar hosted by LB Aging Services Collaborative on 3/8/2023

Guest panelists:

Ruth Bernstein, Genesis Older Adult Program

Renee Garcia, Hands On Services

Ralph Pasqual, Adult Protective Services

Summer Smith, Long Beach Senior Police Partners

Resources for Hoarding Situations

211 LA County

  • Services: Helps direct callers to resource and services for the elderly, the disabled, those who do not speak English, those with a personal crisis, those with limited reading skills, those who are new to their communities, etc.
  • Phone: 2-1-1 | Service/Intake line: 800-339-6993
  • Web: 211LA.org

California Department of Aging | Adult Day Services Programs

LA County DMH | Enhanced Care Management Program

  • Services: Focuses on addressing the clinical and non-clinical needs of Medi-Cal beneficiaries, enrolled in Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs), with complex medical and social needs.
  • 24/7 Helpline: 800-854-7771 | TDD/TTY 562-651-2549
    (Note: ext. 1 is for mental health referrals and crisis services)
  • ECM Point-of-Contact for Service Area 8: Reyno Acoba
    Phone: 213-949-4708 | Email: racoba@dmh.lacounty.gov

LA County DMH | GENESIS

  • Services: Older Adult Program (60+ years) offers field-based outpatient mental health services for older adults who are living with a severe mental illness and are unable to access services due to impaired mobility, frailty, or other limitations. Note: Must be bedridden to qualify in circumstances of hoarding.
  • Direct Line: 213-351-7284
  • 24/7 Helpline: 800-854-7771 | TDD/TTY 562-651-2549
  • Web: dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/older-adults/genesis

LA County DMH | Service Area 8 Resource Navigators

LA County DPSS | In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

  • Services: In-Home Supportive Services, also known as IHSS, can help pay for services if you’re a low-income elderly, blind or disabled individual, including children, so that you can remain safely in your own home. IHSS is considered an alternative to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care facilities.
  • Phone: Apply by phone: 888-944-4477 | Helpline: 888-822-9622
  • Web: dpss.lacounty.gov/en/senior-and-disabled/ihss.html

LA County WDACS | Older & Dependent Adult Services | Adult Protective Services (APS)

U.S. Administration for Community Living | SHIP – State Health Insurance Assistance Program

  • Services: Local, in-depth, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers.
  • Phone: 877-839-2675
  • Web: www.shiphelp.org

Non-profit/Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Supports

Clutterers Anonymous

  • Services: 12-step program to arrest the compulsion to clutter. See hosted phone, virtual, or in-person meeting directories in the link below.
  • Web: clutterersanonymous.org/meetings

Heritage Clinic – Long Beach

  • Services: Counseling, victim support, clinic care
  • Address: 3939 Atlantic Ave Ste 103, Long Beach, CA 90807
  • Phone: 562-264-6001
  • Web: heritageclinic.org

SHARE! | Collaborative Housing Program

  • Services: Supportive housing services and living spaces for individual adults with mental health issues or other life challenges in Los Angeles County.
  • Infoline: 877-742-7349
  • Web: shareselfhelp.org

Cleaning Service Vendors

Hands on Services

Steri-Clean Inc. | hoarders.com

Christian Outreach in Action | http://www.coalongbeach.org

Fire & First Responder

Home Safety & Evacuation Standards

  1. All doorway entries and exits: All front, back, and interior doorways must open fully.
    Reason: To allow paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) carrying a stretcher inside the home to move freely and enter and exit in a timely and safe manner.
  2. Aisles to all rooms: Must have 4-feet of clearance, measured with yardstick, to allow paramedics and EMTs proper access with one on both sides of the stretcher during emergencies.
    Reason: Firefighters and paramedics in full gear with a stretcher will need clear access to all rooms, front and back doors, hallways, bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom(s) to ensure safe and timely access to a person in need.
  3. Stacks and ceiling clearance: Keep stacks of boxes, clutter, etc. under 3-feet high on the floor—Nothing should be stacked on top of bookcases or tall furniture.
    Reason: To prevent stacks from toppling over by accidental disturbances/falling from a person, as well as movement/falling during earthquakes.
  4. Tall furniture: All Bookcases, armoires, and other tall furniture must be bolted to the wall with L-brackets.
    Reason: For best practices in safety, earthquake protection, and disaster preparedness.
  5. Windows: Must be cleared of stacked boxes to ensure proper airflow, room ventilation, and access.
    Reason: For best practices in safety and disaster preparedness prevention due to issues such as gas inhalation and fire exit/entrance access.
  6. Weight load concerns: Multi-story buildings are not built for unusually large weight loads in the middle of the room. Keep those spaces clear in any residential room above the 1st floor.
    Reason: Weight load capacity may be breached, putting yourself and others at risk of injury or death.
  7. Electrical Outlets: Check each outlet’s capacity, and only have 3 to 6 plugs in use. Use a surge protector where needed. Keep 1-foot of clearance for each outlet. Remove any nearby flammable debris and materials.
    Reason: Electrical fires occur from overloaded circuits where too many appliances plugged into overworked outlets can’t safely handle the excess draw of electricity requested.
  8. Flammable liquids: No flammable liquids should be stored in the home, such as gasoline, kerosene, etc.
    Reason: Please reduce the need for a fire department visit.
  9. Open flames: No open flames other than the stove top while cooking. All fireplaces should be attended to while in use and must have 1-foot clearance of any surrounding objects, debris, or materials.
  10. Pets? No more pets than can be quickly evacuated by the owner in an emergency.
    Reason: In a fire, emergency responders will not have time to look for pets without risking their own safety.
  11. Working plumbing: Must ensure all toilets, sinks, tub, hot and cold running water are functional and working.
    Reason: CA Health & Safety Code Section 17920.3 concerns any part of a home where any condition exists that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the public or occupants becomes a substandard building. This section lists about 30 specific terms.
  12. Heaters: Beware of unattended plug-in units being placed around objects, flammable debris, and materials.
    Reason: They can pose a major fire hazard.
  13. Electrical appliances: All electrical appliances, such as stoves, refrigerators, heaters, etc. must be in working order and in proper condition.
    Reason: CA Health & Safety Code Section 17920.3 concerns any part of a home where any condition exists that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the public or occupants becomes a substandard building. This section lists about 30 specific terms.