I’ve been terrified for my grandma since grandpa died – she’s hoarding and has mice and rats.

DEAR DEIDRE: SINCE my grandfather died 15 years ago, my grandmother has started hoarding things and now has a problem with mice and rats.

Her house is a real health hazard and I fear for her and her neighbors.

He is 81 years old and his house is full of clutter, both from wall to wall and from floor to ceiling.

It is a very old semi-detached property and the people on both sides are older too.

I am 35 years old and, although she does not need care as such, I stop by once a week to see if she is okay.

The other day, to my horror, a rat ran down the hall and out the front door. I’ve talked to her about trying to get rid of some things, but she doesn’t want to hear about it.

She doesn’t have a dishwasher so sometimes I find a mountain of dishes and she has had problems with mice in the past.

I’m convinced you have garbage bags full of food and trash somewhere deep in your house, which is causing your rat problem.

I’m also afraid that I might trip over the piles of newspapers on the stairs. It’s just not safe.

DEIDRE SAYS: Your grandmother’s hoarding suggests mental illness, probably caused by your grandfather’s death.

Could you declutter part of the room to help her see that she would be better off living with some space?

If you can, tell her that you are worried about her and that rats certainly pose a health hazard. Ask her if she would allow you to accompany her to the doctor to seek support and her advice will be able to advise you on how to get rid of any vermin.

Contact Rethink Mental Illness (rethink.org, 0808 801 0525) and seek help through Hoarding UK (hoardinguk.org).