Importance of long-term involvement for older people living in severe squalor: A case report

Domestic squalor sometimes appears for older people with various diseases. Diogenes syndrome is characterized by unique behavior, including domestic squalor. Here, we report a case of this syndrome that was successfully treated with a multidisciplinary approach over a long period of time. In this case, the patient hoarded many things, which resulted in severe domestic squalor. It was difficult to intervene because she refused help and lost motivation. Fortunately, the patient was attending our hospital, and she gradually received treatment through a multidisciplinary team approach. Since her cognitive function and activities of daily living gradually declined, her syndrome might have been related to mild behavioral impairment. Long-term and persistent intervention by a multidisciplinary team is very important to help patients with these kinds of problems.