Ep 13. Claudie

Hoarders is an American TV show that documents the struggles of people who suffer from hoarding disorder. In season 2, episode 13, viewers are introduced to Claudie, a 60-year-old woman living in Austin, Texas.

Claudie's home is severely cluttered and disorganized. She has hoarded an enormous amount of junk and trash over the years, making it virtually impossible to navigate through her living space. Her kitchen is completely unusable, with piles of dirty dishes, expired food, and an infestation of insects and rodents.

Claudie's hoarding began after the death of her mother, who she was very close to. She has held onto every single item her mother left behind, including old clothes, rusty tools, and broken appliances. Her home has become a shrine to her mother's memory, but it has also become a hazardous living environment.

In addition to her hoarding, Claudie struggles with mobility issues caused by arthritis. She has difficulty moving around her home and relies on a walker to get around. Her hoarding has made this already difficult situation even worse, as she is constantly at risk of tripping and falling or injuring herself on the piles of junk cluttering her home.

The episode follows the efforts of a team of professional organizers and cleaners who attempt to help Claudie clear out her home. They begin by creating a plan of attack, sorting through the piles of junk, and deciding what can be thrown away and what should be kept. They work tirelessly to create a safe and livable space for Claudie, but it is not an easy task.

Throughout the episode, viewers see how Claudie's hoarding disorder has impacted her relationships with her family members. Her sister and brother-in-law are supportive of her, but they also express frustration and concern about the state of her home. They worry about her health and safety and struggle to understand why she has held onto so many useless items.

In the end, the team is able to make significant progress in cleaning out Claudie's home. She is thrilled to be able to walk through her kitchen again and use her sink and stove. She is grateful for the help she has received and hopeful that she can now work to maintain a clutter-free home.

The episode ends with a follow-up visit several months after the initial cleanup. Viewers see that Claudie has been able to maintain a clean and organized living space, which has resulted in significant improvements in her overall wellbeing. She expresses gratitude for the help she received and talks about how much happier she feels now that she is able to move around her home without fear of injury.

Overall, this episode of Hoarders highlights the struggles faced by people with hoarding disorder and the importance of seeking professional help to manage the condition. It also emphasizes the impact that hoarding can have on relationships with loved ones, and the importance of having a supportive network to help address the issue.