Pack Rats with Only Two Legs

Occasionally we find human pack rats. I have never quite understood this behavior, but it not real uncommon. Today, we went to a house in an older, but upscale neighborhood for an elderly female that could not get up from the floor. As we entered the large single-story house, it was apparent that we were not going to be able to get our gurney in at all. There was a collection of household goods, furniture, books, and general debris that occupied basically every inch of the house. There was a very narrow trail that ran from the kitchen to the bedrooms, with little side trails to the bathroom and front door. There were entire rooms and sections of the house that could not be reached without climbing over things piled about 4-6 feet high. Surprisingly enough, the house was relatively odor and dirt free. There was food in the kitchen and obviously they were able to cook and eat. We first wondered if they ever sat down, but then we discovered two chairs (his and hers) near what would be the dining area, just off the kitchen.

Having fought fires in a few of these houses, it is amazing that more don't die in the clutter and the mess. We did refer them to social services and hopefully they will get some help. In chatting with the elderly man, some of the behavior might be explained by the death of their only living relative, a daughter. In looking around, it was conceivable that they simply emptied all of the contents of her house into their house when she died.