Thanks Tillie, I'll look into those

Hi :)
This is so typical in this sort of circumstance.
To fill the hole in their lives after suffering a death of a loved one.
I suggest that you read

"Digging Out"

"Helping your loved one manage clutter, hoarding and compulsive acquiring"

Please feel free to join us in the "Daily Chat" thread where we give each other suggestions and emotional support.

Best wishes, Tillie :)

Hello,
New to this board. A quick summary of what's going on, my parents were not "pack-rats" when I was younger but it was manageable. My mother passed away about 9 years ago which I know has been very hard on my dad. His collecting of item is getting worse and worse. On several occasions I have gone in and cleaned only to return and it be back to the same condition. Most recently I decided to go up once a week. (I live about an hour away). Each week we would tackle a new area and I would leave dad a list of "to-do" items such as donating a box or going thru a stack of papers. This worked well for a couple months and I was pleased with the progress. He seemed happy too but then one week he asked me not to come because he hadn't done his to-do list. One week turned into two, two turned into three... you get the idea. My husband and I went up a few weeks ago and the place is a disaster again. I was so upset. To make matters worse there is now a mouse problem. My father is out of town for the month so we bought traps and hauled away 2 trailers of garbage. I called my dad and told him I didn't think he should live there anymore and that I was concerned for his health. The place is falling apart and he has talked of wanting to move before. Anyway, although he says he wants to move he makes no attempt to get things in order to do so. How can I help guide him in the right direction? Thanks for any advice-