I am helping my mom right now with the same problems. Right now we are sorting papers upon papers. I have set up a filing system in a new file cabinet for her so she can find stuff. Lots of recycling, she feels good about the recycling and we shred the confidential papers. My mom takes stuff from other people, mostly clothes, I have gotten her to do donations to worthy causes. Hoarders keep stuff because they think these things are useful to someone, so I am making sure this stuff gets donated. Even the stuff that is no good and needs to be trashed, I tell mom I am donating it. She feels better about getting rid of it, if it is being used by someone. Hope this helps. Lace