Hoarding is a major issue for many seniors and their caregivers. The accumulation of clutter and belongings creates the risk of pest infestation, fire and falls, and can complicate the elder’s health and home care as they may not be able to walk safely in their home, have space to use walkers or wheelchairs or feel comfortable having home health aides come into their home.

There is help though, with a number of support groups in the area this fall designed to help both hoarders and those caring for a loved one with a hoarding problem.

The ClearPath Family Hoarding Monthly Support Group is exclusively for people coping with family, friends and loved ones who hoard. Meetings are the last Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Leahy Conference Room at Marlborough Hospital (157 Union Street, Marlborough, MA 01752).

There is no cost to participate. ClearPath is a program of the Marlborough Community Development Corporation (MCDC). The support group events are run in partnership with UMass Memorial-Marlborough Hospital.

To join this group or for more information on ClearPath’s support group, please contact ClearPathMA@gmail.com.

MetroWest Procrastinators & Clutterers is a monthly group that is always open to new members whose aim is to find partners to support achievement of personal goals. Find meetings by joining them on Meetup.com.

The following groups will be open to new members for a short time only. The groups will work through the curriculum attached to the book Buried in Treasures by David F. Tolin, Gail Steketee and Randy O. Frost. Groups are free to attend, open to adults of all ages and from any town.

Natick Buried in Treasures – Thursdays at 6 p.m. beginning on September 15 at the Natick Community-Senior Center (117 East Central Street, Natick, MA). Call Teri at Natick Human Services for details at 508-647-6542.

Marlborough Buried in Treasures – Tuesdays from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Recovery Connection (31 Main Street, Marlborough, MA)

Hudson Day Buried in Treasures – Every other Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Hudson Senior Center (Third Floor, 29 Church Street, Hudson, MA) starting on October 12 and ongoing for 16 weeks

Hudson Evening  Buried in Treasures – First and third Wednesdays of the month at 6 p.m. at the Hudson Senior Center (29 Church Street, Hudson, MA) starting on September 7

To find out more, or to keep up to date on ClearPath hoarding groups, visit strongcommunity.org/clearpath-hoarding/. ClearPath is a program of the Marlborough Community Development Corporation (MCDC).