Overview
- News outlets between Aug. 13 and Aug. 15, 2026 cited psychologists and sociologists to argue that holding on to or gifting possessions is often a normal part of aging rather than a sign of hoarding.
- Researchers describe objects as part of identity using terms like Russell Belk’s “extended self” and David Ekerdt’s “convoy material,” which show possessions can serve as material records of a person’s life.
- Psychologists connect gifting to generativity and to socioemotional selectivity theory, explaining that older adults often choose recipients so an object’s story and memory continue within the family.
- Clinicians say hoarding disorder requires significant distress or impairment, so professionals assess functional harm and intent rather than counting items when diagnosing pathology.
- Practical forces such as downsizing or moving often coexist with emotional motives, so experts urge families to ask respectfully about meaning, record stories, and let older people guide who receives heirlooms.