Specialized cleaning: hoarding disorder and Diogenes syndrome
Hoarding disorder is a recognized mental health condition, not simply a lack of organization. Intervening in a heavily cluttered or unsanitary home requires a rigorous methodology, strict health and safety protocols, and, above all, a humane and respectful approach. This one-day training course prepares teams to intervene effectively, safely, and with dignity—a specialized and in-demand service.
Who is this training for?
- Housekeeping Technicians and Attendants
- Supervisors and route managers
- Cleaning companies wishing to develop a specialized service offering
Training objective
Equipping teams to plan and carry out interventions in heavily congested or unsanitary environments: understanding the person's situation, applying a structured method and rigorous safety protocols, choosing the right products and equipment, and adopting a professional and respectful attitude at all times.
What you will learn
- Understand hoarding disorder as a recognized mental health disorder, and distinguish hoarding disorder, Diogenes syndrome and Noah syndrome.
- Adopt a professional, discreet and non-judgmental attitude, and recognize the limits of your role — neither vigilante, nor therapist, nor daredevil.
- Planning the intervention: preliminary visit, grid of degrees of obstruction, team sizing, method for estimating time and costs, and writing an intervention report.
- Apply rigorous health and safety protocols: complete personal protective equipment, risk analysis (physical, biological and chemical), safe dressing and undressing, hand washing and movements that protect the back.
- Organize the construction site methodically: progress piece by piece and from top to bottom, three sorting zones (to keep, to give away, to throw away), team management and checklists.
- Choose and use specialized products (industrial degreaser, biocidal disinfectant, descaler, enzymatic cleaner) in compliance with WHMIS 2015.
- Mastering specialized accessories and equipment (HEPA filter vacuum cleaner, single-disc machine, extractor, misting system) and organizing the truck layout into clean and contaminated zones.
- Execute the intervention method in 8 steps, from dressing to final check.
The training program
- Understanding: ASD, Diogenes syndrome and Noah syndrome — context and criteria
- Professional attitude and the limits of your role
- Planning and organization: preliminary site visit, estimate and intervention report
- The profile of employees to be sought for this type of intervention
- Health and safety prevention: PPE, risk analysis and additional precautions
- Principles of work organization and common mistakes to avoid
- Washing products and some principles of WHMIS 2015
- Accessories, specialized equipment and truck layout
- The 8-step intervention method
- Summary quiz and practical exercises
Included with the training
- Illustrated training book, to keep
- Notepad and pencil
- Individual training certificate
- Practical applications (safe clothing, hand washing, transport techniques)
- Snacks and drinks
A grounded and responsible training
The content draws on recognized resources, including those of the CISSS des Laurentides and the ASSTSAS prevention guide on home interventions in unsanitary conditions. The approach is both rigorous in terms of safety and respectful of the dignity of the individuals involved.
Format
Full-day intensive course (approximately 7 hours), in person. Please bring work clothes and safety shoes or boots for the practical exercises. Private group sessions are available.
