Handling Tough Conversations with a Senior Parent

From the Sage MinderNew concept

So, you have figured out that mom should not be driving anymore or all the siblings agree that dad needs in-home nursing care. Great - the decision is half the battle. But, how do you talk to someone about it? Maybe it is a sibling you have to talk to – to get more help with taking care of your parents. Whatever the tough conversation, it sometimes helps to be prepared and to follow some basic guidelines for the best chance of avoiding conflict and maintaining good relationships.

Hard conversations are those where you think the other person may not be thrilled to hear what you have to say. They take some amount of courage because you cannot be sure of the reaction and you are guessing that the reaction may involve anger, tears or some other negative emotion.

One of the main reasons for the negative emotions is that we have tendencies to get defensive, blame others, or say things in ways that cause the other person to misunderstand us. One way to reduce the blame and defensiveness is to use “I” statements. In this way, you are “owning” what you have to say. For instance, rather than saying “you never help me with mom” you can say “I would like more help with mom.” This is a very different statement and is hard to argue with. I statements are what you see, what you think, what you feel and what you want. No one can argue with these and few people will get overly defensive about them.

Format of Conversation

“I see………..
“I think……….
“I feel……….
“I want…………

You fill in the blanks. Let’s say your 91-year old dad dented the car again and you are pretty sure he is not capable of driving safely and you are concerned.

How to Bring Up the Hard Topic:

“Dad, I see that you have dented the car – that is the second time in one month. I think you are having trouble driving safely and I feel very concerned and worried about your safety. I want you to make a doctor’s appointment with me so we can get his opinion on whether you should be driving.”

Now, dad will not be happy with this because he may not realize he has a problem, he may not want to face the coming lack of independence that will happen if he can no longer drive, etc. But, by owning all your statements and using only your observations, thoughts, feelings, and requests – you are avoiding some of the natural defensiveness that would come if you had said “dad, you can’t drive anymore – you are dangerous to others and if you don’t stop driving, I’m calling someone….”

Your “ask” for what you want in the “I want” part of this should be rather specific. You should avoid saying to a teenager for example: “I want you to respect me” and say something more like “when I talk to you, I would like it if you would look at me, not roll your eyes, and respond in a normal civil tone.”

So, here is a downloadable worksheet for any touchy conversation to get your thoughts down and below are the steps you can take:

Download and fill in the hard conversation form. Watch for anything that technically fits the formula but is really a blaming statement or an assumption or a threat. In our example, you could say “I see the car is dented again and I think you are a lousy driver. The “lousy driver” thing is really saying “You are a lousy driver.” It is a subtle difference, but be aware of how you phrase things.
Before you use the “I see” formula above, you may be wise to ask your dad, for example, “How do you think things are going with driving?” Sometimes, asking someone what he thinks first is a good way to prepare the person for what you are about to say and to get a feel for how much you are on the same page with him. Expect some amount of denial for some things as it is very difficult to face declining health or independence. These are serious losses and few people face these losses casually.
Use your formula and then be quiet. Let him or her respond. Listen for the feelings and try to just talk about their perceptions for a while. For example, you could respond with just saying things like “yes, it would be hard not to drive” or “you seem worried about how you will get around if you can’t drive.” These statements help the person talk out their fears, worries, and anxiety about the issue you have brought up and help you to understand what they are going through.
Many of these tough conversations with seniors are likely to involve difficult life transitions that reduce their freedom and independence. So, if there is agreement to go to the doctor in our example, you could then make sure that the person has control over as much as possible. For instance: “which doctor do you want to see?” “When do you want to make the appointment?” While these things seem insignificant, sometimes any amount of control can help when a person is facing a loss of control over the things that were once in his or her control.

*If you are having this conversation with a loved one and other family members, one person should do most of the talking so that the person does not feel overwhelmed or “ganged up” on. And all the members should use “I” statements.

You Can Successfully Have the Tough Conversations

No conversation tool or formula is guaranteed to make a perfect and smooth conversation, but using the structure outlined above can help organize your thoughts and prepare you. The most important thing to keep in mind is that denial is common and there are often strong emotions to deal with like sadness, grieving, fear, or anger. Treating the subject with tact, respect, patience, and understanding during these difficult life events is primary. Remembering the love and respect you have for one another is key.

Bio-One Raleigh and Bio-One Hoarding are owned by Karen & Rick Jacobs. We offer trauma, mold and hoarding cleanup services including biohazard, blood cleanup, suicide/homicide, feces & bodily fluid, animal waste, undiscovered death, and mold testing & remediation.

We proudly serve North Carolina’s Triangle & Triad areas including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Pittsboro, Holly Springs, Clayton, Carrboro, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Hillsborough, Mebane, Morrisville, Wake Forest, and Wendell; as well as the following counties; Wake County, Durham County, Cumberland County, Guilford County, Orange County, Chatham County, Harnett County, Johnston County, Nash County, Franklin County and Pill County. We also provide services to Greensboro and other areas throughout North Carolina/

Bio-One Inc. is the world's first crime scene cleaning franchise. Nationally respected and locally owned, Bio-One has earned its reputation through being trusted to handle the Mandalay Bay mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, the Pulse nightclub shooting in Florida in 2016, and consulted on the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012. In 2019, Bio-One was once again included in the best and most comprehensive franchise ranking list – Entrepreneur Magazine.

From the Sage Minder

Elderly Suicide Rates

According to the American Association of Suicidology, suicide among elderly people is very high with white males over 85 being the highest risk among any other group. The elderly are 13% of the population; yet account for 15.6% of all suicides. The rate of suicide for those over 65 is almost 15 of every 100,000 suicides. White men over the age of 65 account for 29 of every 100,000 and white males over 85 account for 47 out of 100,000!

Overall, 84% of all elderly suicides are done by males and 71% of all elderly suicides are completed with firearms. For women, the suicide rate actually declines after age 65.

Risk Factors for Eldelry Suicide

Being a white male over the age of 85
Prolonged Illness
Ongoing Chronic Pain
Untreated depression
Terminal Illness
Death of a Spouse
Social Isolation/Loneliness
Recent change in living situation or work status (retired, move to nursing home, etc)

Warning Signs of Suicide

Feeling Trapped in a situation (like chronic pain)
Unable to see any “way out” of a bad situation or a problem
Typical signs of depression:
Losing weight and poor appetite
Insomnia or “over” sleeping
Sad mood
Crying
Loss of interest in usual hobbies or activities
Withdrawing from social interactions
Feelings of worthlessness
Talking about suicide
Giving away possessions
Feeling like a burden to others

How to Help Prevent Elderly Suicide

It is important to realize that talking about suicide does not create a desire to commit suicide. It is okay to ask someone if they are feeling like “ending” things. If they are not suicidal, they will let you know right away. If they are, you will in some ways be relieved, since most people feel somewhat ashamed of feeling suicidal. If you are thinking of asking someone about this, it could also be a sign that they are depressed.

So, if you suspect depression and/or suicidal thoughts, urge your loved one to see his or her physician. You can explain that there are medications that can help lift the dark mood enough to make it easier to find solutions to some of their problems. If they have some tangible problems, helping them to problem-solve can help. Often a person thinks about suicide because he cannot easily see a way out of his or her situation.

If your loved one is already in treatment for depression or another mental health illness, help make sure the treatment and medication schedule is followed.

The number one risk factor for all people is not feeling connected. So, spending more time with someone, increasing social activity, and encouraging visits by family members and friends can help as well.

If you are worried and want to talk with someone about your loved one, contacting either of the following hotlines is highly recommended.

Suicide Resources for Older Adults

The Friendship Line

The “friendship” line is a 24-hour/7day a week toll-free phone number specifically designed to deal with elderly suicide prevention and is also available to support seniors struggling with emotional needs, depression or loneliness. A senior can also call to talk things through with someone trained to counsel him on this topic. The service is free.

1-800-971-0016

The Veteran’s Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line helps veterans in crisis and their families and friends through a confidential toll-free hotline. Veterans and their caregivers can call to receive counseling and emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

1-800-273-8255

Bio-One Raleigh and Raleigh Hoarding is owned by Karen & Rick Jacobs. We offer trauma, mold and hoarding cleanup services including biohazard, blood cleanup, suicide/homicide, feces & bodily fluid, animal waste, undiscovered death, and mold testing & remediation.

From the Sage Minder

SEP 01, 2017 by PAUL MARVEL

What is Hoarding?

Hoarding is a complex disorder that is not yet fully understood by the Mental Health Profession. It is compulsive shopping, acquiring, searching and saving of objects which leads to dysfunction, health, and safety issues in the home.

Elderly people may say they compulsively collect all that "stuff" because they believe that an item will be useful or valuable in the future. Or they may claim things are unique, hold sentimental value, or are irreplaceable. Sometimes, the explanation is related to finding "deals" even if the deal is for something they don't need or want. But regardless of the claims, the compulsive collection of items is really a disorder that can have serious consequences.

The Stuff People Hoard

The most common items to hoard are newspapers, clothing, and books. Although research is relatively new it has been found that this behavior is more likely to affect those with a family history of hoarding. Hoarding can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, and economic or educational status. Some believe that hoarding is a reactionary psychological problem caused by feelings of scarcity. But, researchers today have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause.

Risk Factors of Hoarding

Because hoarders are reluctant to seek treatment it is not clear how common hoarding is. Some of the risk factors that researchers have found:

Age – Hoarding is not limited to any age, race, gender or nationality but it is believed to start in early adolescence. It typically progresses to a moderate problem when a person reaches their 20’s and 30’s, becoming a more severe problem in the 40’s and 50’s. Elderly may develop a hoarding issue due to aging factors.
Social Isolation – People who hoard are typically socially withdrawn. This can be a result of the hoarding or may be the reason for it.
Life Events – Leading a stressful life and not having the proper coping mechanisms can lead to hoarding.
Family History – Research has shown that there is a strong association between family members who are hoarders and becoming one yourself.
Alcohol Abuse – Studies have shown that about half of all hoarders have a history of alcohol dependency.

Signs and Symptoms of Hoarding

How do you tell if someone is becoming a hoarder? Hoarding is different from cluttering and collecting. Hoarders will save random items from their daily lives and store them haphazardly. Throwing things away, selling, giving away, or even recycling is very difficult for people who hoard. With a hoarding disorder their collections will interfere with life. Some symptoms and behaviors to watch for:

Holding onto things that most people would consider having no value such as junk mail, newspapers or catalogs, old clothing, broken items.
Keeping shades drawn, not allowing visitors or family members in, neglected repair work.
Unsanitary conditions or lack of functional living space. Not able to sleep in their bed or use kitchen appliances; bathrooms facilities are filthy; table or counter tops are full; not able to move freely around the home.
Obsessive shopping and attaching an intense sentimental attachment to objects.
Having too many animals in which they can properly care for.
Hoarding Has Consequences

Since hoarders become so emotionally attached they are unable to distinguish what is trash and what is not. Keeping all of their hoards feels right to the hoarder in spite of safety and health consequences. Hoarding can develop without any other symptoms of another disorder but it is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression. Hoarding in its worst form can be a great health and safety risk or lead to tragedies we have seen in the news. To name a few of the hazards: fire, health problems due to infestations, injuries due to falling over the clutter, structural damage to the home.

How to Help a Hoarder

So how do you address this with a loved one? Not realizing the seriousness of hoarding is common among people who hoard therefore making it a tough conversation. Attempts to help organize usually end up just moving possessions from one location to another.

Since hoarding is being connected to emotional and mental health issues like OCD, depression, and anxiety, seeking professional help may be the only viable course of action. The starting point is tough; after the hoarder acknowledges the problem they must get past their isolation issues and embarrassment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often sought and will pinpoint the thought process that has caused the hoarding. Group Therapy for hoarding also shows promise. Therapy is often combined with medications. Recovery can take months or even years to overcome.

Here are some tips to help a hoarder conquer their clutter:

Start slow.
Handle objects only once.
Scale down collections.
Toss un-used items.
Recycle, donate or consider consignment.

The best chance of overcoming a hoarding problem is to catch it in its early stages. While aging does not necessarily make the disorder worse, age and time will make the sheer volume of stuff bigger - the longer it goes on! Hoarding is not about being a sloppy or lazy person. It is about a deeper emotional problem and immediate attention can help nip it before it becomes a serious issue.

At Bio-One Raleigh and Raleigh Hoarding, we understand the challenge in working with a loved one to reclaim their living conditions and life. We are here to help. Please call us for a no obligation consultation and accurate estimate.

The Aging Population and Hoarding

Over the past few weeks, Bio-One Raleigh has received numerous calls from family members concerned about the living conditions of their aging loved ones, specifically hoarding. Sometimes these conditions arise because the loved one is no longer mobile enough to clean the residence and dispose of trash or a medical condition results in living conditions of filth. In fact, hoarding disorder is nearly three times more likely to manifest in adults aged 55 to 94. As the population of people over 60 grow, the number of hoarding cases also rises.

To the caretakers of an older person with hoarding disorder, the solution seems simple: just throw everything away. Doing that without the person’s consent is a useless endeavor. Unless they are getting the help they need, they will just start hoarding again and will also suffer severe emotional distress at the sudden loss of their belongings.

Still, hoarding can’t be ignored as it can create safety threats and other problems including:

Fall Risks
Fire Hazards
Potential Injuries from Falling Items
Pest Infestations
Social Isolation
And More.

Helping a Loved One with Hoarding Disorder

The most important step in helping an aging hoarder is to get them the professional help they need. Keep in mind that hoarders typically have other mental health issues along with the hoarding disorder. That’s why trying to reason with them to “just clean up” isn’t helpful.

Common disorders among hoarders include:

Depression
Anxiety
OCD
ADHD

Not every hoarder lives in a home with items piled from floor to ceiling—but if the disorder remains untreated it can continue to escalate to that point. While hoarding ranges from mild to severe, if you can recognize the symptoms early, it will be easier to address and treat.

Symptoms include:

Inability/Unwillingness to Throw Away Items that Seem to Have No Value
Anxiety When Trying to Throw Items Away
Inability to Organize Possessions
Feeling Embarrassed by the State of Their Home
Items Stored in Such a Way that it Results in a Loss of Living Space
Fighting with Anyone Who Tries to Remove Items

When you walk into a hoarder’s home, it’s easy to understand why you’d think cleaning up is the first order of business, but it’s not. The first step must be getting them help, so they can get to the place where they can let go of some of their possessions.

The Hoarding Cleanup

Once treatment has progressed to the point that cleanup is a possibility, you may begin to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to even begin. The truth is that cleaning out a hoarder’s home is difficult and, in some cases, it can even be dangerous.

That’s why it’s best to hire professional help for a hoarding cleanup. Bio-One Raleigh is a trusted hoarding cleanup specialist serving the Triangle and surrounding areas. Our compassionate, professional team has helped many people reclaim their homes from this condition or get the home ready to sale if the aging loved one is unable to return.

We don’t just show up with shovels and start emptying the home. Instead, we work closely with the homeowner and the family from start to finish. The Bio-One Raleigh team is committed to making our clients feel safe and comfortable throughout the process.

You trusted their treatment to the professionals, so trust the hoarding cleanup to professionals as well. Contact us at 919.800.9435 today for more information about our comprehensive cleanup services and to schedule a no obligation consultation and an accurate cost estimate.

Bio-One Raleigh is owned by Karen & Rick Jacobs. We offer trauma, mold and hoarding cleanup services including biohazard, blood cleanup, suicide/homicide, feces & bodily fluid, animal waste, undiscovered death, and mold testing & remediation.

Suicide Cleanup: Why your mental health will benefit from hiring professionals

Cleaning up after a suicide is physically exhausting and emotionally overwhelming. It also requires a level of training the average person does not possess. The physical threats to your health are well documented - blood, body fluids and cross-contamination. What is not so evident and written about is the impact on one's mental health.

There are a few things in life that can not be unseen or forgotten. The sight, smell or touch of a loved one's body after suicide is one of those things. For many years to come memories of happier times will be clouded with visions of that gruesome sight.

Many people mistakenly believe that because they are avid outdoors men or are not bothered by gory movies and violent video games, they will be able to clean up after the suicide of a family member or friend. We can absolutely guarantee you this is a false assumption. Experiencing the scene after a suicide, whether a loved one or even stranger, can result in permanent psychological and emotional scarring.

You are not alone during this tragic time and instead of taking on the burden of cleaning up after a suicide, hire professionals so that you many spend this time with family members and friends grieving and memorializing your loved one, as well as seeking out professional mental health if needed. There are many studies and articles regarding the long-term impact of suicide, including increased incidence of depression, anxiety and PTSD. Call and let the trained experts at Bio-One Raleigh help during this time, so you and your family can begin a healthy and proactive grieving process.

An Interview with Bio-One Founder

Nick-Anthony Zamucen

Starter Story - July 2019

Hello! Who are you and what business did you start?

Hello reader and thanks for stopping by. Let me start off by saying I hope you’re not reading this during the day when you should be working on your business.

Don’t use me as a distraction for you to not take action, the action that will either put you on top of your competitors or start your company on the right path.

By the way, my name is Nick-Anthony Zamucen and this is how I approach business, my life and all that is important, which is everything. Everything matters. I founded Bio-One Inc., Best Option Restoration (BOR), Uncle Vito’s Pizzeria and St. Home Care, which all are franchised companies.

For the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on Bio-One Inc. and how I created the world's first multi million dollar crime and trauma scene franchise.

What's your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?

I started Bio-One Inc. over two decades ago.

Bio-One is the nation's leader in Crime & Trauma Scene Cleaning with over 90 franchised to date and growing. Bio-One isn’t like any other business you get into, it’s not all about profit.

Let me explain a bit more. When a suicide, homicide or an undiscovered dead body is found, there are many people who get called to the incident. The police, coroner/medical examiner, fire department, detectives and the last responders are companies like mine, Bio-One the crime scene cleaners. Not all scenes we clean are crimes, but the term crime scene cleaner gives some mental picture of what gets done. We clean and remediate what is commonly left behind from EMT’s, police, fire departments and coroners to name a few.

Bio-One also handles hoarding situations, blood spills, meth labs, rodent droppings and lately a lot of fentanyl remediation. Bottom line is this; when the toilet doesn’t flush you call a plumber. When the lights don’t come on you call an electrician. When you see something you’ve never seen before, perhaps something no one should ever see and you don’t know what to do, that’s when you call us over at Bio-One, we are the “Oh shit, what now”, phone call.

I got into the crime and trauma scene business by sheer fate. I was attending a small Baptist church and our Pastor had said at the end of the sermon that a fellow member of the church had unfortunately taken his life and the pastor didn’t see his wife in attendance. He then went on to ask if some of us in the church would go see how the widow was doing and offer her some love and support. So, me and a buddy did just that.

It’s easy to be happy when you land a big job or get a big order or meet the perfect client. It’s easy to be happy when things are going good. You need to practice controlling your emotions when things aren’t.

As my buddy and I arrived at her house, we were greeted by many from the church. Everyone seemed happy to see us, which was surprising considering we were in our early 20’s and not overly frequent members of this church. We walked through the front door we saw a woman sitting on the couch disheveled and in a daze. This was obviously the widow. Her and I locked eyes for a moment and she pointed to the bedroom door and said to me, “they said I had to clean it myself.” I had no idea of what she was talking about so I strolled across the room and opened the door…then quickly shut it.

What I saw for a brief moment was pinks and browns on the walls and bed sheets. A blob of what looked to be some sort of strawberry ambrosia jello on the floor and on the TV (yes, is was brain). The ceiling fan had what looked to be hair on it with a dried yellowish substance like glue sticking to it. I could go on, but I think you get the point. See the Coroner and/or Medical Examiners take the bodies away, but leave everything else behind. They take the big stuff, we take the little stuff.

After I shut the door I walked over to one of the women from the church who was sitting with the widow and whispered in her ear, “why don’t you take her to lunch, so Rex and I can take care of this for her.” Then I handed her $40 to move her along. I figured I had seen movies like Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, so the mess didn’t really bother me. A quick wipe up seemed pretty straightforward and easy. Boy, ignorance is bliss. If I had known the potential dangers I was getting myself into, I probably would have thought twice about cleaning up after a gunshot suicide. But, at the time I was just trying to help a lady who needed help. Hence, the motto “Help First, Business Second” was born. At the time I didn’t know it, but that decision to help someone in their greatest time of need, would change my life forever.

To be completely honest, we did 1000 things wrong. We had no personal protective equipment on. I had a pair of pink dish gloves on I found under the sink. Rex, my buddy, didn’t wear anything on his hands. We didn’t have the proper chemicals to clean blood with nor did we know what the hell to do with the bio matter for proper disposal. I found a bucket under the sink next to the gloves and filled it with Comet (like Ajax if you know what that is) and warm water.

We scrubbed walls with steel wool pads and basically spread everything around trying to dry it with paper towels. I had foamy pink juices flowing down my arms and on my head from scrubbing the ceiling fan. It was just a mess and so were we. We were way out of our league and very luck we didn’t get hurt or hurt someone else in the process. We were young and dumb. It took us about 6 hours to clean a scene that should have taken a trained professional 2 hours. Again, we were just trying to help and we had never done this type of work before. This was our introduction into crime and trauma scene cleaning.

Later that night we were starving, so we were sitting in a sandwich shop when Rex turned to me and said, “what do you think happens throughout the country when a suicide happens and the coroner takes the body? Do the families really have to clean the mess themselves?” A light bulb went off in my head and Bio-One was born.

We are in every major market. Bio-One handled the Las Vegas Mandalay Bay shooting, the Pulse Nightclub massacre and just about every domestic terrorism incident in America. We are the only bio company recommended and credited by the FBI, Department of Justice and Homeland Security.

We also handled most of the Ebola outbreaks occurring a few years ago in Dallas, Atlanta and Miami. When people don’t know who to call, that’s usually when my phone rings asking, can you help us with this?

My answer is, secure the scene Bio-One is on the way. We’ve have been dealing and recovering many fentanyl scenes lately. It seems to be the new designer drug of choice.

Bio-One Raleigh is owned by Karen & Rick Jacobs. We offer trauma, mold and hoarding cleanup services including biohazard, blood cleanup, suicide/homicide, feces & bodily fluid, animal waste, undiscovered death, and mold testing & remediation. Please contact us at any time. Help First, Business Second.

Sophia Mitrokostas, Jul. 25, 2018 Insider Health

Most of the time, mold is just a sign that you need to throw out that sandwich at the back of the fridge. However, some household mold can actually be really dangerous.

A small number of mold species produce a substance called mycotoxin, which may lead to breathing problems, headaches, and even permanent neurological damage. Less severe but still aggravating symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, or an annoying odor, according to the Clinical Microbiology Review.

Here are a few subtle signs that your house could be harboring harmful mold, according to the CDC and the EPA.

YOUR AIR CONDITIONING OR HEATING SMELLS WEIRD.One subtle sign of mold is a nasty smell coming from your air conditioner or heating system.

Standalone air conditioning units, in particular, are prime spots for mold growth. They're damp, dark, and frequently exposed to warm temperatures when not in use. Placing an air conditioner in a heated basement or closet during the winter also increases the likelihood of mold developing.

To keep mold from growing in your heating or cooling systems, have them regularly checked out by an HVAC specialist.

THE GROUT BETWEEN YOUR SHOWER IS DARK. Surprise: that's probably mold. The good news is that it's likely the harmless type.

However, if there was recently a leak in the bathroom plumbing or flooding in an adjacent room, you might be dealing with a more toxic kind of fungus that should only be removed by professionals. Send a sample off to be tested so you can confirm your shower is safe.

YOUR WALLPAPER IS PEELING. While some discoloration and scruffiness are bound to strike your wallpaper eventually, unusual peeling or surface abnormalities like bubbling or cracking can signal the presence of moisture in the wall. Moisture is a reliable precursor to mold.

Keep an eye on your walls and make sure to pay attention to any areas that feel damp or look warped.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE A COLD THAT JUST WON'T GO AWAY. Symptoms of a mold reaction can be as subtle as a perpetually runny nose and sneezing fits. That cold that you just can't seem to shake could actually be a sneaky sign of a mold problem.

Try to notice if your symptoms seem to worsen after spending time in a particular room or immediately after you finish doing laundry in the basement, for example.

YOU FIND DARK OR COLORED SPOTS ON YOUR WALLS. Mold can appear in many shapes, textures, and colors. It can look like anything from green, dripping slime - definitely something you'd notice - to an innocuous-looking grey fuzz. If your walls are coming out in spots, it's worth double-checking that there isn't a leak in the pipes or uncontrolled humidity in the room.

YOUR ASTHMA MYSTERIOUSLY WORSENS. If you have a pre-existing breathing problem that seems to flare up after long periods at home, mold could be the culprit.

Most species of household mold won't bother people without breathing issues but can aggravate asthma in individuals who already suffer from the condition. Consider scheduling a doctor's appointment and a mold inspection if your breathing problems seem to worsen without a clear cause.

THERE IS A MUSTY ODOR. If things in your home are suddenly smelling a bit mustier than usual, even after cleaning all the usual suspects, you could have a mold problem on your hands.

One clue that the funky odor in your home is mold and not just the result of going too long between vacuums is if the smell gets stronger in one area of your house, or even one corner of a room. If you've washed the carpet, steamed the curtains, and taken out the trash without dislodging the strange reek, it could be mold.

YOU USE A HUMIDIFIER. That moist air might be doing wonders for your skin, but it also could be encouraging the growth of mold.

Using a humidifier on a low setting during the dry winter or summer months shouldn't cause you much of a problem, but if you're constantly humidifying, you should regularly check to make sure all that extra moisture isn't feeding any mold.

YOUR SINK OR TOILET FLOODED. Any occurrence of flooding pretty much guarantees that mold is on its way. Most people know that a large basement flood can lead to mold, but even a smaller incident like an overflowing bathtub or constantly leaking sink pipes can create conditions ripe for a mold infestation.

If you suspect your home is infested with mold, the best thing you can do is seek out the advice of a professional mold remediation specialist. They'll be able to test your home and any samples to determine the species of mold and potential hazard to you and your family.

If you think you may have mold, contact us for a free, no obligation appointment. We offer mold testing, moisture readings, as well as complete mold remediation by our certified technicians. Email us at info@biooneraleigh.com, call at 919.800.9435. or here through our website.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, compulsive hoarding disorder affects an estimated 2 to 6 percent of the population. That’s between 6.5 and 20 million people respectively—if you consider the latest figures from the United States Census Bureau. While inadvertently mythologized through reality television, hoarding is a serious problem that can diminish one’s quality of life and create significant safety hazards. As opposed to collectors, who invariably organize their material in a clean and organized manner, hoarders obsessively and haphazardly accumulate a myriad of items that often have no practical value. They face severe distress when confronted with the prospect of discarding these items, leading to a dangerous and unsanitary aggregation of clothes, trash, broken appliances and more.

That’s why you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’re thinking about contacting Bio-One Raleigh to assist you or a loved one with hoarding cleanup. We will work with you to address your individual situation, especially if that includes removing extreme piles of clutter, searching for sentimental valuables, and restoring your home’s sense of safety and comfort. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns. It can be the first step towards recovery.

Unattended Death -

What To Do & Steps To Follow

Last week we received a phone call from a someone who had discovered that a man had passed away in a town home he owns. He needed help and wasn’t sure of next steps. Being the one who discovers an unattended death is a shocking and overwhelming experience, no matter what caused the death: suicide, homicide or natural causes.

An unattended death is one in which an individual passes away and is not discovered for a period of time. In the case of the scenario described above, it was two weeks. It is not uncommon for hours, days, weeks or even months to pass before someone discovers the death has occurred. Individuals, especially the elderly, who live alone are especially susceptible to dying alone.

If you ever find yourself in the situation of discovering a lifeless boy, here are a few procedures to follow:

Call 911 to get assistance from emergency personal. The first step is always to call emergency services. They will need to determine the cause of death.

Arrange transportation for the remains. The remains must be transported to a mortuary or crematorium. If it is determined that foul play is not involved, the next of kin is responsible for making the arrangements.

Contact a professional biohazard cleaning company. It is important that you refrain from do-it-yourself cleanup. As a body decomposes it releases harmful pathogens and bacteria into the air, potentially exposing you to serious illness. Don’t risk your health by attempting to clean the area. If violence was involved in the death, blood may be splattered throughout the property, bodily fluids may contaminate the area and foul odors that linger needed to be addressed.

Bio-One Raleigh trained technicians have the equipment to do the job safely and remove bodily fluids and odors from the soiled area. Our certified biohazard team wear protective gear and have specialized training to clean these scenarios. In addition, our technicians are trained to deal with the trauma scene cleanup with sensitivity and compassion. Help First, Business Second is our company motto.

Owners Karen & Rick Jacobs will personally assist you in getting started on the insurance process to open a claim with your homeowner’s insurance to cover the cost of the cleaning. During this difficult time, it is difficult to focus on the task, however, we will take you step-by-step through the process and handle as much of the paperwork as possible.

Finally, and so important, reach out to family and friends of the individual’s passing. You will find support there. However, do not hesitate to also seek counseling. Coming across the scene of an unattended death is traumatic and professional counseling can help you deal with the emotional aftermath.

Bio-One Raleigh is here to help. Please contact us with any questions at 919.800.9434 or Rick@biooneraleigh.com. We are here 365/24/7.

We offer trauma, mold and hoarding cleanup services including biohazard, blood cleanup, suicide/homicide, feces & bodily fluid, animal waste, undiscovered death, and mold testing & remediation.

In addition to generating mold, harboring disease and creating fire hazards, hoarding—according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America—often causes distress within the family and threatens the social development of children. While the nation’s leading psychiatrists didn’t classify hoarding as a distinct mental disorder until 2013, it’s a significant problem that many Americans face within our local communities. That’s why you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’re thinking about contacting Bio-One to assist you or a loved one with hoarding cleanup. We will work with you to address your individual situation, especially if that includes removing extreme piles of clutter, searching for sentimental valuables, and restoring your home’s sense of safety and comfort.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns. It can be the first step towards recovery.