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Hey Tina,
I am a hoarder. I agree with Tillie that minimizing danger is ok. I've managed to do that in my house pretty much.
If someone had come in while I was gone and done that for me I would have felt extremely embarrassed, violated and angry. But going deeper I probably would have also felt some relief and gratitude that the process had been started.
As far as someone cleaning and clearing everything without my knowledge I would *die*. I can only think of it as ripping out my heart, guts and soul. I wouldn't be able to appreciate anything; I would only be able to focus on all the things I had lost. Not just material things but what losing them signified ~ that what was important to me, what gave me comfort was nothing more than trash in someone else's eyes. That *I* was trash, that my feelings were so easily disregarded, that the cleaner had thought I was incompetent and filthy. I would probably cut that person from my life and my level of trust would be permanently lost.
But my personality really struggles with living positively. I've dealt with clinical depression most of my life and I am VERY change resistant. Losses in my life and the fear of loss can be devastating.
On the other hand your father sounds like a mentally strong guy. Very physically active, intellectually interested in the world and enjoying new things like travelling overseas. He may very well be very open to your help. How did he react the other two times you cleaned for him? If his home is in bad shape again will another clean-up stay that way?
Hoarding is a behavior that needs to be dealt with on a daily basis. Each hoarder is very different. Maybe he deals with his messiness by getting out of the house while some people isolate there.
As a start do what Tillie suggested. Then have ongoing talks with your dad about how much help he wants, will he work with a counselor and will he have professional cleaners in. It sounds like you both have a loving relationship and that goes a long way in giving and receiving help.
All the best to you ~
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