Digging through boxes, cabinets, and closets, taking out odds and ends from drawers, and sorting repetitively through various items might be frustrating for the people providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. However, these actions have a purpose. Rummaging can supply a degree of comfort for individuals with dementia and the reassurance of recognizing familiar objects and finding purpose and meaning.
The key then is not to discourage rummaging, which may lead to agitation. However, there are other ways to manage this behavior if it becomes troublesome more effectively. These strategies will help:
Keep rummaging to a specific area. Assemble bins of items the individual seems especially interested in, such as keys, paperwork, a wallet, tools, gardening equipment, sewing implements, sports memorabilia, and so on. When a loved one begins to rummage in other areas, pull out one of the boxes and guide their focus there.
Set up an activity centered on rummaging behaviors. Let the older adult know you could use their assistance with a specific action that takes advantage of these behaviors, such as folding towels or socks, sorting nuts/bolts in a toolbox, or placing paperwork into folders.
Find other stimulating tasks to alleviate boredom. Rummaging could be the response to feelings of restlessness, loneliness, or boredom. Test out a variety of activities you can recommend and do with the senior, like arts and crafts, puzzles, going on a walk, listening to music, etc.
Keep valuables out of reach. If you know your senior loved one has the propensity to rummage, make sure that any important documents, pieces of jewelry, keys, credit cards, etc., are all kept safely away. It’s also good to tuck away the mail when it arrives to ensure bills and other items aren’t getting tossed or misplaced.
Step up safety precautions. Now is a perfect time to gauge how hazardous items are stored in the house, such as sharp knives, cleaning products, and even certain foods such as raw meat that a senior loved one may inadvertently mistake for another food product and ingest. Keep all items that may cause aging loved ones to harm in secure places, ideally locked away.
Modern Health Home Care can assist a professional live-in caregiver in Philadelphia and the surrounding communities to provide companionship and engagement in creative, enjoyable, and fulfilling activities for anyone with dementia, leading to fewer challenging behaviors such as rummaging. Contact us for additional dementia care resources or schedule a free in-home assessment for more information on our services.
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