Restoring Homes & Wellbeing

We provide specialised support for older Australians living in hoarding or squalor conditions. Our work focuses on restoring safety in the home, stabilising tenancies and improving wellbeing through respectful, person-led care.

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Understanding hoarding and squalor

Hoarding disorder affects an estimated 600,000 Australians. For older people, hoarding and squalor can significantly increase physical, mental and environmental health risks. Unsafe living conditions can lead to falls, pest infestations, fire hazards, social isolation and rapid functional decline. Many people also face trauma histories, cognitive changes or mental illness that make managing a home difficult. Without support, they are at real risk of eviction and homelessness. Elder Folks provides hoarding and squalor support services that restore safety, dignity and stability, helping seniors remain safely housed.

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How we can help

Our Restoring Homes & Wellbeing program provides specialised hoarding and squalor support services for older people at risk of eviction. We use a compassionate, trauma-informed and culturally aware approach that prioritises safety, dignity and long-term tenancy stability.

Our support includes:

Comprehensive assessment and planning
We identify risks, understand the person’s needs and create a personalised plan that feels manageable.

Specialist cleaning and home restoration
We coordinate intensive deep cleaning, decluttering, waste removal, pest control, minor repairs and replacement of unsafe or damaged items.

Temporary accommodation if needed
Where homes are unsafe or undergoing major cleaning, we help arrange temporary housing.

Wraparound case management
We help people access health care, mental health supports, behavioural strategies, NDIS services, community programs and medical monitoring.

Occupational Therapy assessments
OT identifies fall risks, cognitive barriers and home modification needs, supporting long-term safety and independence.

Tenancy sustainment
We collaborate with Homes NSW and community housing providers to prevent eviction, reduce crisis interventions and maintain stable housing.

Ongoing support
We provide regular wellbeing check-ins, domestic assistance, deep cleans and help with routines like meals and shopping.

Our goal is to address both the environmental hazards and the underlying causes contributing to hoarding and squalor, so older people can remain safely in their homes and communities.

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Clients

Were living in homes with significant safety concerns before receiving support.
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Max’s story

Holistic support helped Max restore his home, stabilise his tenancy and reconnect with care.

Max, a 64-year-old Indigenous man living with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, was facing eviction due to severe squalor. Through a personalised plan including intensive cleaning, pest control, home repairs, temporary accommodation, OT assessment and connection to health supports, Max avoided homelessness and regained safety, stability and independence in his home.

Frequently asked questions

These questions help explain how we support older people experiencing hoarding or squalor, restore safety at home and prevent tenancy risks before crisis occurs.

We provide specialised support to improve safety at home through deep cleaning, decluttering, waste removal, pest control and coordinated wraparound care. Our focus is restoring a liveable environment and stabilising the tenancy.

Unsafe environments increase falls, fire hazards, illness, social isolation and eviction risk. Many older people also live with trauma histories, cognitive decline or mental illness, which make maintaining a home difficult.

We work closely with Homes NSW and housing providers to address safety issues early, complete home restoration, coordinate repairs and implement long-term tenancy sustainment plans.

We complete a detailed in-home assessment to understand safety risks, health needs, environmental hazards, support gaps and what the person feels ready to work on.

Depending on the home’s condition, we may coordinate intensive deep cleans, specialist decluttering, pest control, removal of unsafe items, minor repairs and replacement of essential furniture or belongings.

Yes. Many clients receive support for up to 12 months, including case management, OT assessments, domestic assistance, health connections, behavioural strategies, wellbeing check-ins and maintenance cleaning.

Older Australians across NSW who are living in unsafe or unsanitary conditions, are facing eviction, or need help maintaining a tenancy due to hoarding or squalor.

Testimonials

Kind words from clients and their families and our trusted partners who felt supported, reassured and guided when they needed it most.
I am being able to live independently now, Thank you very much
R Cervilla
I want to say thank you as I am very grateful that I have home now.
Franc Crepinsek
Thank you, you did a really good job. I want you to provide more help to more people who need help.
R Reiss
Emma and the team are doing very noble work. Keep on doing such good work for the community.
J Hardy
I went to different government agencies for help but nothing changed, I got nothing. Now i’ve got a place to live only because of Elder Folks. I am trying my best to adapt to a new environment. It was very challenging at first but it is a blessing for me to get a home because of their help and support.
Beulah G
Now that I have a roof over my head, I no longer feel vulnerable or constantly anxious about being attacked or without a home. I feel truly lucky to have a home where I can finally sleep without fear. I’ve got some furniture, and I’m grateful for that. I’m deeply thankful for the help I’ve received and a place to call home.
T Howes
I've got such a beautiful place to live now, and i’ve made 3 friends here. I am never going to leave this place. Thank you so much.
V Greenlees
ACPS has been instrumental in supporting clients experiencing homelessness by delivering tailored, holistic housing solutions. Their strong case management, cultural sensitivity, and ability to engage vulnerable communities have led to outstanding outcomes. In a stretched system, ACPS fills critical gaps and remains an invaluable partner in housing services.
Homes NSW Housing Services Partnership
Since 2020, ACPS has been a trusted partner, consistently achieving positive outcomes for clients with complex needs. Their compassionate, tailored approach helps individuals reach goals that often feel out of reach.
Emma Catholic Healthcare
During a time of homelessness, ACPS provided me with genuine care, respect, and unwavering support. Thanks to their dedication—especially Emma’s—I now have safe, secure housing and a place to call home. I’m incredibly grateful for the life-changing help I received.
Nicholas Busby
Placing my father into aged care was an emotional and complex experience, especially with his physical needs and desire to stay mentally active. I had no idea where to start—but Mary made all the difference. She was kind, genuine, and incredibly supportive, helping us find the right place and guiding us through every step of the process. Even after Dad moved in, she continued to check in and offer support. While the journey wasn’t easy, Mary made it so much more manageable. I can’t recommend her highly enough.
P Simpson
When my parents needed to move from the family home to a suitable residential aged care accommodation we were stuck. We had no industry knowledge, no understanding of how to short list the most suitable place and we had to make a quick decision. Mary Baumann solved all that, she quickly profiled my parents needs and preferences and then made appointments to inspect the available accommodation. We were then able to quickly settle the arrangements and make the move. It was the best thing we ever did. We highly recommend the professional service offered by Mary Baumann.
George and Vivian Savvides
Mary's enormous experience and knowledge of the aged care world is greatly appreciated by her clients. But I believe what they truly value is her compassion, dedication and empathy. Mary understands what a stressful time it is, and works hard to take away this pressure from the families she helps. I frequently hear "thank God I met Mary!"
Shane Lawler Core Value Financial Services
I know Mary as an enthusiastic, honest and and highly respectful person who has a wealth of professional experience within the aged care industry. She never stops thriving to improve processes within the industry to make the challenges the elderly and their families are facing easier.
Johanna Klaus Designer
We’ve worked with Mary over the past 12 months and confidently refer clients to her for aged care placement support. Her service removes the stress from what is often a difficult process. Mary is experienced, professional, and genuinely caring—always focused on finding the most appropriate care solution for each client. Our clients are consistently impressed, and we look forward to continuing our partnership.
Anne Nokes
As soon as we met Mary we felt a load taken off our shoulders. At every stage the service was both professional and respectful and we felt that Mary had our Grandmother's best interest in mind during the whole process. Our most sincere thanks for helping us, it saved us time and made the transition go quite smoothly.
Zharine Lewis

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If you or someone you care about needs support, we are here to help.

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