MY father lives in total squalor.

Growing up, our family home was always messy and a bit chaotic.

But things have gone downhill since my mother died in 2016.

I went round there the other day to find old books, boxes and clothes all over the place.

He proudly told me that his next-door neighbour had moved out and given him all of his “treasures”.

In other words, the devious ex-neighbour had literally dumped his junk on my poor dad.

I tried to start clearing up but he accused me of insulting him. Eventually we had a row and he threw me out.

His sister, my lovely aunt, can no longer visit him because she’s in a wheelchair and can’t get down the hall.

My brother and his stuck-up new wife refuse to get involved and I feel hopelessly overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do. JANE SAYS: I can’t believe that your father likes this terrible mess any more than you do but he’s trapped.

I bet he doesn’t even know where to start clearing up. Messy homes lead to stress and feeling overwhelmed.

It’s possible that he’s suffering from a mental illness called Hoarding Disorder – and that’s something for a doctor to diagnose and start to help him with.

Often this disorder is triggered by a traumatic event – perhaps your mother’s death?

It could be that he’s bottling everything up. Sadly, if he really won’t allow you to help out, then you must speak to social services about his living conditions.

Also, he’s missing out on so much by not seeing the whole family.