A special thank you to Lynne Johnson who joined the group at our July 10th meeting. Lynne shared information on the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. Check out the web-site http://www.nsgcd.org/
It was discovered through our round table discussion that many agencies are experiencing an increase in the number of elders who are in one way or another supporting their adult children. The group decided to collaborate and plan a workshop in late Fall to support seniors who find themselves parenting once again. The workshop is our effort at early intervention to prevent senior's from finding themselves in difficult situations.
Brainstorming Ideas so far: a panel: legal, home making, housing options; provide a list of available resources, how to say no, if not working out; have a cake to celebrate parents; dealing with everyones stuff- clutter and hoarding issues; how can multiple families live under the same roof and make it successful; skills/tools to deal with children returning; seniors meet each other, a chance to talk and offer/receive support.
To do: List of possible presenters, possible funding sources, how to market event- who do we want to attend. Please post your ideas - we will discuss/finalize at the next meeting.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
July 10th Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, July 10th at 9 a.m. The group will welcome
Lynne Johnson, President of the MA National Organization of Chronic Disorganization and a Professional Organizer. Lynne will start at 9 a.m., so make sure you make it on time !!
Coffee and Refreshments will be served.
Lynne Johnson, President of the MA National Organization of Chronic Disorganization and a Professional Organizer. Lynne will start at 9 a.m., so make sure you make it on time !!
Coffee and Refreshments will be served.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
We're Back !!!
We're back ! The Hoarding Task Force next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 8th at 9 a.m. I hope to see you all there, there is plenty to discuss and catch up on. RSVP to Laurie at (978) 921-6017 or RSVP on the blog under comments.
Agenda: May 8, 2008
Agenda: May 8, 2008
- Introductions and welcomes to new members
- Discuss role of committees and projects for 2008
- The First Responder Protcal business card is here ! Help distribute the cards to your organizations and package for Beverly Police/Fire/Ambulence.
- May 14th showing of Pack Rat at the Beverly COA, community and professionals invited 1:30-3 p.m., discussion to follow. Volunteers needed to help with this event.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Committees
The Task Force decided to form committees to help gather information and further support our mission. If you were not present at the November meeting, please think about which committee interest you. Committees will meet seperately and report back to the group at our task force meetings.
Education and Training: Ellen Ellis, Cheryl K., Suzanne
Support Group Development: Susan Kaplan, Deborah S.
Advocacy: Anne Springer
Fundraising: Diane Moses
Education and Training: Ellen Ellis, Cheryl K., Suzanne
Support Group Development: Susan Kaplan, Deborah S.
Advocacy: Anne Springer
Fundraising: Diane Moses
Monday, November 26, 2007
First Responder Protocol
First: Ask yourself Fire, Medical or Police Emergency? Call 911
Second: If emergency, secure the scene- do not allow anyone inside the living unit who is not listed above.
Third: Would you leave this person alone?
Address imminent danger:
Elder Protective Service 1-800-922-2275
Elder Protective Service 1-800-922-2275
Disabled Person Protection Commission 1-800-426-9009
Child Protective Services 1-800-543-7508
Child Protective Services 1-800-543-7508
Animal Cruelty: MSPCA Hotline 1-800-628-5808
Fourth: Concerns about housing unit and animals?
Contact:
Health Department: 978-921-8591
Building Department: 978-921-6025
Fire Prevention: 978-927-2200
Animal Control: 978-921-6040
Fifth: After emergency concerns have been addressed
Health Department: 978-921-8591
Building Department: 978-921-6025
Fire Prevention: 978-927-2200
Animal Control: 978-921-6040
Fifth: After emergency concerns have been addressed
Monday, August 20, 2007
Conference Evaluations "Knee Deep in Clutter" Conference held on June 19th at Beverly COA
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to return the conference evaluations. We obtained some very good information.
The demographics of our attendees were as follows: There were social workers, protective services workers, case managers, public health personnel, nurses, elder services, housing, fire and ambulance personnel. Most worked for local municipalities or non-profits, with several people from state agencies, hospitals, and private businesses. People had worked an average of 12 years in their field. The vast majority attended because they had a personal interest in the topic and/or wanted to address the issue in their town.
Most respondents felt that they had learned something useful about hoarding, and that the presentations were relevant to their work. People were particularly interested in the research into the clinical and treatment aspects of the condition.
The most useful parts of the evaluations were the suggestions on the need for more information and work on the problem. These suggestions included: a list of specific resources/referrals for Essex County, more networking workshops, more information on treatment approaches/cognitive behavioral therapy, information on motivational interviewing, discussion on how to overcome resistance to treatment, and many other thought-provoking ideas. It is the hope of the City of Beverly Hoarding Task Force that we can use this blog as one forum to address some of these issues.
The demographics of our attendees were as follows: There were social workers, protective services workers, case managers, public health personnel, nurses, elder services, housing, fire and ambulance personnel. Most worked for local municipalities or non-profits, with several people from state agencies, hospitals, and private businesses. People had worked an average of 12 years in their field. The vast majority attended because they had a personal interest in the topic and/or wanted to address the issue in their town.
Most respondents felt that they had learned something useful about hoarding, and that the presentations were relevant to their work. People were particularly interested in the research into the clinical and treatment aspects of the condition.
The most useful parts of the evaluations were the suggestions on the need for more information and work on the problem. These suggestions included: a list of specific resources/referrals for Essex County, more networking workshops, more information on treatment approaches/cognitive behavioral therapy, information on motivational interviewing, discussion on how to overcome resistance to treatment, and many other thought-provoking ideas. It is the hope of the City of Beverly Hoarding Task Force that we can use this blog as one forum to address some of these issues.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Our morning presenter: Dr. Randy O. Frost "Knee Deep in Clutter" Conference held on June 19th at Beverly COA
Dr. Randy O. Frost is the Howard Edward and Elsa Siipola Israel Professor of Psychology at Smith College. He is an internationally known expert on obsessive-compulsive disorder and compulsive hoarding, as well as the pathology of perfectionism. He has published over 100 scientific articles and book chapters on these topics. His work has been funded by NIMH and the Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation. He has co-authored several books on hoarding including Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring: Therapist Guide and an accompanying workbook as well as Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving and Hoarding (both published by Oxford University Press in 2007). His research has been featured on a variety of television and radio news shows including 20/20 Downtown, Good Morning America, Dateline, National Public Radio (general news as well as the award winning program The Infinite Mind), BBC News, and Canadian Broadcasting Company's The Nature of Things.
Dr. Frost's presentation was entitled "Buried in Treasures: Compulsive Hoarding and its Treatment". He gave an excellent overview of his many years of research on this topic.
To summarize, his definition of compulsive hoarding is: a) the acquisition of, and failure to discard, a large number of possessions b) living spaces that are sufficiently cluttered as to preclude their intended use c) significant distress or impairment caused by the clutter.
Dr. Frost then went on to describe the manifestations of hoarding: compulsive acquiring, compulsive saving and disorganization. Further information was given on the epidemiology of the disorder, its relation to other types of mental illness, demographics of sufferers, and the course of the illness.
He then presented his conceptual model of compulsive hoarding. The people he has studied have many similar core beliefs and vulnerabilities, information processing defecits, problems with emotional attachments, beliefs about possessions, and emotional reactions.
Dr. Frost's treatment approach entails a cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is detailed in his therapy manual and self-help book.
For more information on Dr. Frost's work, please refer to the links on the left side of this page.
Dr. Frost's presentation was entitled "Buried in Treasures: Compulsive Hoarding and its Treatment". He gave an excellent overview of his many years of research on this topic.
To summarize, his definition of compulsive hoarding is: a) the acquisition of, and failure to discard, a large number of possessions b) living spaces that are sufficiently cluttered as to preclude their intended use c) significant distress or impairment caused by the clutter.
Dr. Frost then went on to describe the manifestations of hoarding: compulsive acquiring, compulsive saving and disorganization. Further information was given on the epidemiology of the disorder, its relation to other types of mental illness, demographics of sufferers, and the course of the illness.
He then presented his conceptual model of compulsive hoarding. The people he has studied have many similar core beliefs and vulnerabilities, information processing defecits, problems with emotional attachments, beliefs about possessions, and emotional reactions.
Dr. Frost's treatment approach entails a cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is detailed in his therapy manual and self-help book.
For more information on Dr. Frost's work, please refer to the links on the left side of this page.
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