Implementation and evaluation of a community-based treatment for late-life hoarding

Objectives: The objective of this paper was to examine the implementation and effectiveness of a community-based intervention for hoarding disorder (HD) using Cognitive Rehabilitation and Exposure/Sorting Therapy (CREST).

Design: This was a mixed-method, pre-post quasi-experimental study informed by the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model for implementation science.

Setting: Program activities took place in San Diego County, mainly within clients' homes or community, with some activities in-office.

Participants: Participants were aged 60 years or older, met eligibility for Medi-Cal or were uninsured, and met criteria for HD.

Intervention: A manualized, mobile protocol that incorporated CREST was utilized.

Measurements: The Clutter Image Rating and Hoarding Rating Scale were used as effectiveness outcomes. An investigator-created staff questionnaire was used to evaluate implementation.

Results: Thirty-seven clients were reached and enrolled in treatment and 15 completed treatment during the initial 2 years of the program. There were significant changes in hoarding severity and clutter volume. Based on the initial 2 years of the program, funding was provided for expansion to cover additional San Diego County regions and hire more staff clinicians in year three.

Conclusion: Preliminary data suggest that the CREST intervention can be successfully implemented in a community setting with positive results for older adults with HD.