Mom tosses out things she can't identify

BassetHoundAnn

Has anyone else experienced this with their LO? My mom tosses out things she can't identify. Bottles of shampoo, lotion, boxes of cereal, bags of Depends, etc. Every day I'm fishing stuff out of the trash.

Jane Smith

Oh yes, this is very common with dementia. 

Now would be the time to lock up anything important or irreplaceable, like legal documents, important family photos, anything you can’t afford to lose. 

I’m suggesting this because when my mother went through this stage, she got rid of a lot of things I wish I had now, like my grandfather’s papers, family history documents, a lot of family photos, you get the idea.   My other relative with dementia kept 40 years’ worth of old electricity bills but got rid of her will!  So just something to keep in mind. 

I do feel for you. My mother was only able to identify one particular brand of toilet paper, as toilet paper-and only when it was in the packaging. She threw away a lot of toilet paper!  And a lot of other stuff.   It’s really hard and I wish I had better suggestions for you.

Rescue mom

My DH with Alzheimer’s did this, although he more often brought trash—gross, obvious trash—back into the house from outside bins. I think both are very common with dementia.

As said, it’s super-important to lock away any important papers or objects (like jewelry). And I would check our trash at least daily, sometimes more. Just 2 of us, so not so much to go through. But you have to be prepared to lose some things, just hope nothing irreplaceable or valuable.

BassetHoundAnn

Jane Smith wrote:

Oh yes, this is very common with dementia.  Now would be the time to lock up anything important or irreplaceable, like legal documents, important family photos, anything you can’t afford to lose.  I’m suggesting this because when my mother went through this stage, she got rid of a lot of things I wish I had now, like my grandfather’s papers, family history documents, a lot of family photos, you get the idea.   My other relative with dementia kept 40 years’ worth of old electricity bills but got rid of her will!  So just something to keep in mind.  I do feel for you. My mother was only able to identify one particular brand of toilet paper, as toilet paper-and only when it was in the packaging. She threw away a lot of toilet paper!  And a lot of other stuff.   It’s really hard and I wish I had better suggestions for you.

Your mom sounds like my mom is getting to be with the toilet paper. <haha!> 

I've already confiscated all the legal documents, family photos, etc. My grandma got to the point that she was cutting up family photos and snipping out people as if they were paper dolls. My mom is two clicks away from that stage. 

My mom has lost the executive ability to toss out things like junk mail and old greeting cards. Yet she tosses out toiletries and snacks she asked me to buy for her just the day before. When I find them in the trash she insists that fiends snuck into her AL apartment in the night and tossed them out! It would be funny if it wasn't so very sad, wouldn't it? 

Thank you for your reply! I no longer feel so alone and frustrated. 

BassetHoundAnn

Rescue mom wrote:

My DH with Alzheimer’s did this, although he more often brought trash—gross, obvious trash—back into the house from outside bins. I think both are very common with dementia.

As said, it’s super-important to lock away any important papers or objects (like jewelry). And I would check our trash at least daily, sometimes more. Just 2 of us, so not so much to go through. But you have to be prepared to lose some things, just hope nothing irreplaceable or valuable.

Isn't it strange how the two phenomenon seem to be related? Tossing things out and bringing trash in. My mom keeps bringing in old newspapers from the trash and stashing them around her apartment. 

As a family member it's very frustrating as you discovered. Every day I'm pawing through the trash to rescue valuables or as it usually is recent purchases of things my mother requested.  

Thank you for your response, Rescue Mom! I no longer feel so alone in dealing with this strange problem. 

M1

This goes on here too--with cat food being the item most discussed and wanted.  Do we have enough (more than).  Where is it?  I need to go to town to get more --fortunately, I have been able to quash this for a year because of COVID.  The ending of the pandemic will actually complicate my life in some ways, I may have to fib about it not being over.....not a fib yet, but that may happen later this year.  I haven't noticed important things being thrown out yet but thanks for the heads up, that will help me watch for it....