Losing/hiding things

member1201

Mom (87) was recently diagnosed and declining rapidly. I’ve been staying with her and dad for extended periods of time to help while she adjusts to new meds.

She doesn’t recognize items around the house-cooking utensils, her own clothes, linens, food in the cabinets/refrigerator and I have many times “claimed” them as mine to help calm her.

Recently I have found she has hidden things that she said were missing. Her purse was “taken”, missing for several days but I actually found it tucked by the side of her bed. I didn’t say anything and it was miraculously found just before we were leaving for a quick getaway. Similar situation with car keys and just yesterday a soup ladle. She gets quite upset when things are “missing” and believes “people come in at night and take her things!”

Wondering if this is common or if anyone in the community has had similar experiences?? Any strategies that can help?

SBGal

Hi!

My husband and I have been living with my MIL for 2 years now after the death of my FIL. Hiding things is my MIL's speciality. The first couple of times she lost jewelry or purse we spent hours looking and driving to last out of house locations. Even canceled credit cards and changed door locks! Only to find the item tucked away in an underwear drawer or her pillowcase. Now when something goes missing we don't panic and try to distract her to postpone her obsession of it being lost. The item always shows up. All this is really common! It can be really frustrating for the caregivers. Sending you peace.

terei

You should read some more of these discussions. I would say close to 100% of people with Alzheimer’s do this

Firefly4777

You are definitely not alone.
My Mom constantly tells us that people are in the house and are "taking my things."
She also is convinced we have sold her house. (We live in it.)
It's constant. :-(
She also frets about her purse and she will whisper to me that people are taking money out of her purse. (She doesn't have anything in it.)
Sounds like you are handling it as best you can, though.
Hang in there…we are all in it with you.

member1201

@SBGal

@terei

@Firefly4777

Thank you all for your comments and support. New at dealing with this (or trying to…) and still learning!

Firefly4777

Anytime!!
I'm new to this too, really and it sure changes day to day.

Hang in there! We are here!

Kenny727

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/71944/losing-hiding-things

100% common. I hear you. This is EXACTLY what my Mom has been doing for a while. She goes through manic phases where she gets very agitated and "rage cleans" her room, part of which involves getting rid of things like her underwear (which she swears is not hers), random items of clothing she suddenly doesn't recognize, etc. At first I didn't know what to do but then I just started saying "Here, I'll take care of that" and then, when she wasn't looking, simply putting it right back where it was before. It satisfied her in the moment and she pretty much always immediately forgot about it, so problem solved. Worst thing you can do is argue or attempt to talk her out of the behavior. Believe me — DO NOT do this! LOL You WILL live to regret it. Just redirect and replace behind her back later. This is one of the easier things to manage. I only wish we could go BACK to that stage.

momunoz

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/71944/losing-hiding-things

Hello, my mom has been going through the same things. For things like wallets or purses or key an Apple Airtag or Tile have helped me out a lot of times.

Sandi Roe

it’s constant now with my LO. When it involved hiding guns I got a safe to secure them in. Now everything he starts to obsess about stuff, checks, money…. I tell him they are in the safe and that calms him down. He doesn’t know where I hide the keys to it, hope I can remember 🤦‍♀️it’s all become a game, I’m trying my best to learn responses that don’t make him angry. I have realized some days are better than others, and evenings can become a challenge. I have no idea how long we will be on this journey, all I can do is try my best, Sandi