Ep 1. Joyce & Kimberly

Joyce is an 81-year-old woman who has been hoarding for over two decades. She lives in a five-bedroom house which is completely overrun by clutter and garbage. Joyce has accumulated boxes and piles of items in every room of her home, leaving just a narrow path to walk through. The kitchen is unusable and there are several rooms where she cannot even open the door due to the piles of items blocking them.

Kimberly is a former beauty queen who has a compulsive shopping addiction. Her four-bedroom house is filled with items she has purchased, but never used. Her hoarding has caused financial strain on her family, as she has accrued over $300,000 in debt from her shopping habits. She also hoards expired food, which has caused health issues for her and her family.

The episode begins with the Hoarders team meeting with Joyce and Kimberly's families to discuss the severity of their hoarding. Joyce's daughter-in-law expresses her concern for Joyce's safety in the hazardous home, while Kimberly's husband explains the financial impact her hoarding has had on their family.

The Hoarders team then arrives at Joyce's house and begins the daunting task of clearing out the clutter. They find several dead cats among the piles of items, which is a health hazard for Joyce and her family. Joyce becomes emotional as the team begins to discard items, struggling to let go of even the most insignificant items. After several days of cleaning, the team is able to transform Joyce's home from a hazardous clutter-filled space to a clean and organized living space.

Next, the Hoarders team visits Kimberly's home, where they discover a significant ant infestation due to the expired food she has been hoarding. They also find that several areas of her home are structurally unsound due to the weight of the hoarded items. Kimberly becomes visibly emotional as the team begins to discard items, admitting that her shopping addiction has caused immense stress for her and her family.

The team works tirelessly to clear out the home, which is filled with unused clothing, expired food, and household items. They also discover several sentimental items, such as Kimberly’s wedding dress, which she struggles to let go of. Despite the emotional toll the process takes on Kimberly, the team is able to help transform her home into a safe and organized space.

The episode ends with Joyce and Kimberly expressing their gratitude towards the Hoarders team for their help in overcoming their hoarding disorders. Joyce is able to live in a clean and organized home, while Kimberly is able to begin overcoming her shopping addiction and make strides towards financial stability.

Overall, Joyce and Kimberly's stories serve as examples of the serious consequences that hoarding can have on individuals and their families. The episode highlights the importance of seeking professional help to overcome these disorders and the transformative power of a clean and organized living space.