Without a power of attorney, it's hard to help someone against their will.

Have you tried checking the Eldercare Locator through HHS? I'm sure they have experience with people in her situation-- people whose families aren't supportive/involved, and who are reluctant to accept outside help.

Hoarding is usually a mental illness by itself-- the hoarding of whatever isn't about the "stuff", but it's about what the "stuff" represents. So just attacking the "stuff" isn't going to help any--- until she addresses the underlying problem of what the "stuff" represents.

Get social services involved, and do safety/home inspections quarterly.

Insist on certain things in the home, like not blocking vents, placing items on stairs, or blocking doorways. I explain (briefly) why those things must be maintained. Don't mention her stuff, make it about keeping your vents cleared, your doorways cleared.

Just noticed you were there only 30 days ago, and it was worse. Yikes!

Step 1: look yourself in the mirror and with deep conviction say, "I will NOT let anyone guilt me into anything."

Why do that?

Because there are some people who will call you heartless no matter what you do, even when it is obviously the right thing to do, because it's not the easiest answer for them to accept personally. So there's no reason to try to appease people who aren't you but who feel entitled to tell you what to do with your apartment.

You MUST decide what is right for you and your business.

If it were me and my business, I would know it's time to get social services involved. I am a land lord, not a skilled nursing facility. Those facilities exist and that is what this woman needs, whether she "accepts it" or not. It's time to go. Pooping and peeing all over herself and the apartment is a NO-GO. That is not the business model I came in with, and I would never accept an applicant who was in such a state for the very same reason I would not continue with an existing tenant. Her quality of life will continue to deteriorate as will the condition of the property if left "as is."

OohLALa of MO,

You are a Landlord and not an assisted living facility. So make the calls to:

Area for the Aging or Eldercare Locator? There is an agency or agencies that can help get the ball rolling in your county.

Age related forgetfulness. HOWEVER the condition of the unit is WAY BEYOND age related forgetfulness, it most likely is Dementia and/or Alzheimer's...

Family support may not be there because they may think she is just being old and nasty with them. Many people do not know how to handle Dementia and Alzheimer's or mental illness. It appears to many as just an old nasty person standing in front of them.

Hoarding! NOW that's a different subject. HOWEVER the filth along with soiled items is a MAJOR Health Concern.

Act now and don't stop until she is moved to a facility.

If she does not have a power of attorney then the state may step in a take control of her, especially if she does go to a skilled nursing facility.

Best of Success with it.

We're not social workers. We're not trained in it, and it's not what we do. Getting involved with tenants personally, no matter how well-intentioned, could have a very bad outcome for you.

No good deed goes unpunished.

The only thing to do is to notify the professionals and let them do their job.

It's time to get rid of her.

If her family and friends refuse to help, you are going to have to find some sort of agency to help her, otherwise it is going to become beyond difficult to get her out since she is too ill to move herself or her stuff.

Jeff in CO is right, no good deed goes unpunished. Sadly, helping someone up without proper training...

Although I completely agree w the others in this post (time to go), I also think the possibility of being demonized by the, always hungry for their next outrage, online digital mob, is a real concern and something you need to prepare for.

I can't speak to the legality of it, but I would film the conditions as she lives now as proof that she needed help.

Best of luck. That's a tough one. :/

When my aunt passed away, I heard my cousin talking to a neighbor in the apartment complex and she was being evicted for being a hoarder. It is sad. We had one and thankfully when she passed away unexpectedly her son was very good about clearing everything out.

So many thanks to everyone who chimed in with advice. It is very much appreciated... I had been searching for someone, local county or state to contact and was getting no where... left voice messages, emails etc... Finally with advice from Sisco, I contacted our County Public Administrator Office and my call was promptly returned. She suggested I call the Adult Abuse Hotline. It took some time to get someone on the line, but I made a report and they will be following up very soon, first with me (more info) then will contact tenant for a visit... you all are right, she needs to be somewhere where she can get some care. I just didn't want to toss her out to live in her car. I try to live by the Golden Rule and when I get old, I hope someone will take a little time to help me.