Have you wondered about your own memory when you can’t find the vase that always sits on the living room end table only to find it stashed under the bed of your aging loved one? Or do you get woken at night as your loved one is rummaging through the junk drawer in the kitchen? Some seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease develop behaviors such as rummaging and hiding objects around the home, but Alzheimer’s Home Care can help.
Why Your Loved One Might Be Rummaging or Hiding Objects
First, your loved one may be truly looking for something, but because of the disease, she may no longer remember where she placed it and may go hunting for it in places that seem illogical to you. She might also be looking for something that she hasn’t had in decades because she no longer is aware of the current date.
Boredom can often lead to rummaging around the home as well. She might be searching for something or might just find that going through something is entertaining and enjoying all of the objects she’s finding. While this might be fine if she’s rummaging through a child’s toy box, it can be very dangerous if she is rummaging through something that has objects that can hurt her (like a silverware drawer or a trashcan.)
Hiding objects can be based on fear of losing something, or delusions and paranoia that someone is stealing from her and the need to protect her valuables.
Tips for Managing Rummaging and Hiding Behaviors
First, always remember to stop, ask, and discern if what your loved one is looking for is something she truly needs help finding. She might want to wear a favorite necklace but has forgotten where she put it or she might be hungry and looking for something good to eat.
For safety, take measures to protect your loved one from rummaging through areas she shouldn’t. You might need to place locks on drawers and cabinets and hide the garbage can. Medicine cabinets should also be locked and if you have any cleaning materials that could be toxic if ingested, get those securely locked away as well. One item people forget to monitor is expired food in the fridge. Make sure to throw out all food as soon as it gets near its expiration date – this includes leftovers as well.
Create a safe rummaging space
If your loved one seems to rummage for entertainment, create a box of materials she can sort through when the urge strikes.
Remember to never leave important items like keys, wallets, or purses out where she could grab them and hide them away, causing you to spend hours looking for them later.
Preventing Rummaging Behaviors Before They Begin
Sometimes, a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease starts to hide things or look for random objects because she is bored. Alleviating that boredom can help manage the disease. An Alzheimer’s home care provider can help reduce occurrences of this behavior by creating a daily stimulus event with their visit. Having someone come over and help with Alzheimer’s home care by playing games with your loved one or taking her for a daily walk may be just what your loved one needs to keep her from getting bored and resorting to these behaviors to alleviate boredom. Talk to your Alzheimer’s home care provider about what activities she can help with to provide the stimulation your loved one needs each day.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care at Home in Fayetteville, GA, please contact the caring staff at Arose Home Care Services LLC today at (404) 720-5385
At Arose Home Care Services, LLC, we provide exceptional medical and non-medical home care for seniors and families in Carrollton, Marietta, Douglasville, Acworth, Fayetteville, Powder Springs, Hiram, Lithia Springs, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw, Atlanta, and the surrounding areas in Georgia.
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