Guide for families
Hoarding help in Dane County
How to start the conversation, what a cleanout looks like, and where to find help around Madison.
No money up frontPrice approved firstInsurance billed for youLocal techs, 24/7
Quick answerHoarding is usually about loss or health, not laziness. Start with safety, not stuff, and let the person have a say. In Dane County, the ADRC helps older adults, people with disabilities and their families. MadTown does respectful cleanouts at the person’s pace. Reviewed by Kevin, who leads our Madison team · Updated November 2026.
Understanding
What hoarding is, and isn't
Hoarding is a recognized condition. It often follows a loss, an illness or a hard stretch of life, and it tends to get worse with age. Shame makes it harder to accept help.
A cleanout done to someone, instead of with them, often ends with the home filling back up.
Techs on standby now
Need help now?
A real person answers, any hour. The tech who covers your town heads out right away, and nothing starts until you approve the plan.
- The tech closest to you heads out right away
- Written scope and price you approve first
- No money up front. We bill your insurance
Local help
Help for families in Dane County
The offices and helplines around a death, a crime or a hard week, with numbers you can tap. Checked November 2026. We have no paid relationship with any of them.
Crisis, right now
Police & medical examiner
Money & insurance
Family, tenants & loss
The conversation
How to start talking about it
Lead with safety and with what the person wants: a working kitchen, a clear path to the bathroom, a safe way out in a fire. Avoid words like junk or mess.
Offer help with one room. Small wins build trust.
Local help
Help around Madison
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County helps older adults, adults with disabilities and their families find services and support. A doctor or therapist can help with the condition itself.
If someone’s safety is at risk, call the Dane County crisis line any hour.
(608) 240-7400 · help for older adults, people with disabilities and their families
(608) 280-2600, any hour
The cleanout
What a cleanout with us looks like
We meet the person and the family, walk through together and agree on a plan: what stays, what goes and what to look for, like papers, photos and valuables. Then we work room by room, handle hazards safely and send updates if family lives away.
More on our hoarding cleanout page.
FAQ
Common questions
No. We agree on what stays first and ask before anything personal goes.
Usually not, unless there’s a covered event like a death or a burst pipe. You’ll get a written price first.
The ADRC of Dane County, a doctor or therapist, and the Dane County crisis line in an emergency.
A few days to a few weeks, depending on the home and the person’s pace.
Sources we checked (reviewed November 2026)
Keep reading
Keep reading
We’re here right now
You don't have to handle this alone
Call now. The tech closest to you starts driving while we talk, and nothing happens until you approve the plan. Day or night, no money up front.
¿Prefiere hablar en español? Ofrecemos asistencia bilingüe cuando la necesite. Llame al 608-974-1788.
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On your phone already? Tap to call 608-974-1788
Jobs available
We hire local. Join our cleanup team
Steady, meaningful work in Madison and across south central Wisconsin. We hire people from the towns we serve and train you to IICRC standards.