I've got several uncles and aunts in their 80s who behave like they're in the 50s and 60s, and a friend in his 70s who acts like he's still in his 20s. With normal health, an older person isn't any different from you or me. What's being described here is either phobic behavior -- unreasonable fear of neighbors or minor elected representatives (the board) coupled with the clutter you describe. All told, this isn't normal behavior for ordinary, healthy people in their 80s.

Just because we get old doesn't men we stop behaving like responsible adults, and, seriously, it's patronizing to treat them otherwise. (They especially hate to be called "hon" or "sweetie" or other infantilizing terms.)

Judging from what I've read here, these are people suffering what I hope at this point is a still a mild case of dementia. They need help. You can't count on family -- there may be some reason they've been left alone this way. The longer it goes on, the less able this couple will be able to fend for themselves.

The first, most human step, is to have the city evaluate the need for a guardian. If they're well enough not to need one, that's great -- then you treat them like anyone else. If they do need a guardian, and I suspect from the stubbornness and the hoarding that they might, then you would be HELPING them. Dancing around the issue and making halfhearted, ultimately pointless non-decisions and "well-meaning" plans are time-wasters that do this couple no good. If they need help, get it ... it's free and easy. If they don't need help, treat them with the respect you'd give any other adult.