Home-based motivational interviewing for late-life rural hoarding disorder: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Clinical Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Hoarding disorder significantly impacts older adults, particularly in rural areas.
• Existing interventions may not be accessible or suitable for this demographic.
• Brief, home-based approaches are needed to address hoarding disorder in rural older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a novel six-session, home-based motivational interviewing intervention (Project RECLAIM) for hoarding disorder in rural older adults.
• To examine the engagement of proposed mechanisms of change.
• To evaluate the preliminary efficacy of the intervention in reducing hoarding symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study enrolled fifteen rural-dwelling older adults in Project RECLAIM.
• Intervention engagement was assessed weekly, with readiness for change and motivation measured from baseline to post-treatment.
• Hoarding symptoms, psychological functioning, and sorting behaviors were assessed pre- and post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Sixty percent of participants completed all six sessions.
• Significant decreases were observed in household clutter and object attachment.
• Participants showed increased positive affect, readiness for change, motivation, and sorting behaviors.

Conclusions:

• A brief, six-session, in-home motivational interviewing intervention is feasible and acceptable for rural older adults with hoarding disorder.
• The intervention demonstrated preliminary efficacy in reducing hoarding symptoms and improving psychological functioning.
• This approach shows promise as a viable option for symptom reduction in this population.