N o t M a t t P a x t o n

• Mike Kelleher

• Worked with Matt

cleaning out

hoards and estates

for last 5 years

• Pop Culture and

Antique Expert

• Lead star of

Legacy List with

Matt Paxton

• How I got into this work?

•We work with 2 types of clients

– HOARDERS

– Downsizing Seniors (just have decades of stuff)

•Goals

– Help gain a general understanding of people affected by

hoarding

– Showcase our new show and how we are introducing

downsizing to the US

W H A T T O E X P E C T T O D A Y

U N D E R S T A N D I N G

H O A R D I N G

W H A T I S H O A R D I N G ?

Hoarding is a mental disorder marked by an

obsessive desire to acquire a significant amount

of possessions.

Something bad has happened and they are

looking for their happiness and self-worth in stuff.

There is ALWAYS a reason.

• Grief causes hoarding

• But time allows for MORE

grief

• As our population grows

and downsizes, we will see 2

of the largest generations

transfer STUFF and WEALTH

•What’s holding your clients

back from moving in?

I S H O A R D I N G H E R E T O S T A Y ?

Generations & their Stuff

•Some people hoard items for survival

or pure emotion

•Others hoard items simply to fulfill an

impulse to purchase

• 50% Male/Female

• Not just the elderly

• Incredibly intelligent

• Careers

– Teachers, Nurses & Social Workers

• They are NOT lazy, crazy or sloppy

• There is always a trigger

– Grief, divorce, abuse, empty home, accident or loss of job

• They are looking for self-worth & happiness

• Self worth & happiness– Positive (faith, volunteering, exercise, etc)

– Negative (drugs, alcohol, beanie babies, etc)

•We can hide our secrets

•We believe we are “going to get to it…”

•We avoid the “NOW”

•We hold onto the past– Why do we hold on

•We think things were better…

H O W W E A R E A L I K E

H O W T O P R O P E R L Y

C O M M U N I C A T E

PERCEPTION

The hoarder thinks: • You don’t like them.

• The family doesn’t like them.

• Their hoarding is still a secret.

How you combat this:•Communication

• Front door communications:• Stand in the right place

• Invite them to come outside

• 5 min conversation

• Wait to be INVITED inside

• Word choice:• “This isn’t so bad. I’ve seen a lot worse.”

• What if this is the worst thing you’ve

ever seen?

• “…but I wouldn’t want my mom to live

like this.”

COMMUNICATIONS – FRONT DOOR

COMMUNICATIONS – WALK-THROUGH

Word Choice - Walking

through the door:

• Have the client lead you through

the home

• If you get into a dangerous situation

and you need to get on safety

gear, say:

•“Insurance mandates I have to

wear gear when I walk through

your house.”

• Acknowledge that you might be

the first person in that home in 10

years

•Ask questions to learn more, but

keep it vague:

– “Tell me about ________.”

•Ask permission for everything:

– Over-exaggerate (can I put my

hand here, can I put my foot

here)

•Give compliments when they are

real:

– “nice china…”

– “beautiful paintings”

COMMUNICATIONS – WALK-THROUGH

U N D E R S T A N D I N G

H O A R D I N G

Legacy List with Matt Paxton

• Our goal was to make a positive show about aging

seniors and their experiences downsizing.

• Every cable channel passed on it, except for Public

Television.

• We start airing in January 2020

• Matt will have a new Downsizing Q&A radio show on

NPR starting in January 2020

• What is a Legacy List?

Let’s take a look!

HOARDING Or DOWNSIZING

What did we learn?

• It’s never about the stuff

• It’s about the personal

and emotional stories

and people attached to

those items

• Take the time to

communicate and listen

to the stories

• Lead with compassion &

respect

Overwhelmed by stuff?

• Q&A

• We can Help

• For resources and tips go to

www.IamMattPaxton.com

• 804-502-2690

• KelleherEnterprises@gmail.com

Let’s take a look!