Dementia: Rummaging and Hoarding Behaviors

Those of us who help care for persons with dementia may be familiar with rummaging and hoarding behaviors.  The brain changes in dementia cause disorientation, fear, confusion, decision-making issues; all which can contribute to these behaviors.  What are rummaging and hoarding behaviors and the better question:  how do we cope when these behaviors are expressed?

Rummaging is something we've all done at one time or another;  searching for lost keys is a particular favorite.  Rummaging in a person with dementia is the continual looking through possessions over and over to find something that is missing or not in plain sight.  Think back to the problem you have with missing keys.  Now magnify that and stretch the feeling endlessly over hours and you'll get some idea of what it feels like to be a rummager.  The mind is not finding closure to the search or the person may not even be able to express what they are looking for.  The task at hand is simply the search.

The hoarding behavior has been showcased lately on many (quite scary!) reality shows.  The person with dementia with hoarding tendencies is often keeping certain items that may represent feelings of safety by their presence.  The items that are collected may be random or could be the same thing every time.  I remember many of our residents on the dementia unit would often collect silverware or sugar packets. The behavior of hoarding in dementia may be related to feelings of keeping control and maintaining safety over a very changeable environment.  Remember that loss is something that a person with dementia is used to experiencing so routine and order may help increase the sense of protection.

So how does a caregiver cope with these behaviors:  keeping the person safe while allowing the expression of feelings?  

Rosemary Bakker of Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Paulette Michaud of the NYC Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association offer a few tips on how caregivers can cope with rummaging and hoarding behaviors:

• Set up deliberate rummaging bins or drawers with items of interest to your person with dementia
• Get rid of clutter and any potentially poisonous items to decrease the amount of things that can be touched or ingested.
• Put away all valuables and cash.
• Make sure to have doubles of important things like emergency phone numbers, keys, glasses, etc
• Figure out their hiding places so you can monitor the items hoarded.  
• Frequently check garbage cans and remove garbage regularly from the home.
• Label doors, closets, drawers with words and pictures to help the person find what they are looking for, without frustration.
• Remember that these behaviors are an expression of feelings and are coping devices for anxiety and stress.
• Seek out ways to make the person feel safe and secure to help decrease the behaviors.

What techniques have you used to help your person with dementia through rummaging and hoarding behaviors?  Share your thoughts with us!!!

Comments

[Susan Cook]

I read your posts religiously and save them, too. The rummaging is a word I hadn't thought of but it sure does fit the actions of my 88 year old dear Mother. Thanks again for all you do.

[Sue]

Hi Susan: I know, it is a funny word but does describe that feverish activity of searching for something.

Thanks for your kind comments and also for taking the time to write.

Sue

[Disability Training]

My grandmother had this tendency throughout her lifetime. She saved everything.. literally! She passed a few years ago due to Alzheimer's, I never thought to make this connection. Could it be just a coincidence, though?

[Sue]

Hi D.T.: It could be a coincidence as ever person who hoards or rummages, doesn't necessarily have dementia.

Did the behaviors get worse as her Alzheimer's disease advanced?

Thanks for writing, Sue