A charity that works with older people says they come across cases of hoarding two to three times a week.

It comes after a man in his 70s was rescued by Dublin firefighters after becoming trapped under belongings and rubbish in his home.

The pensioner was stuck for 14 hours, according to the Irish Times.

Thanks for highlighting Hoarding. This is a mental health problem. We provide public talks about this and other topics for MH professionals, families & friends, as well as for sufferers of the disorder. https://t.co/AJt1dv5WZz

— OCD Ireland (@OCDIreland) September 6, 2022

CEO of Alone, Seán Moynihan, has praised the fire brigade for highlighting the condition:

“We come across two or three cases a week of different levels of it. We’d usually get involved when it gets to a point where a person can’t really live in their house anymore”.

There’s been plenty of support for DFB’s highlighting of the issue on social media also.

Well done on saving this person and posting about it in a sensitive way. Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition that can happen after seperation, eviction or the loss of a loved one. It’s tragic symptoms are often laughed at.

— NortonReport (@NortonReport) September 6, 2022

Gosh it’s so sad to see that someone was trapped in their own home. Really hope they get the help they need

— Joanne McBride (@JoanneMcBe425) September 6, 2022