How to Stop Hoarding in Dementia: Supportive Tips for Families
According to the World Health Organization, there are over 57 million people with dementia worldwide. It's one of the leading causes of death among older people and a major cause of disability.
Most people in Rock Hill, SC, know how dementia causes problems with a person's memories and cognitive abilities. However, one of the lesser-known dementia-related habits is hoarding possessions. It's not uncommon for a person in the beginning stages of this disease to have difficulty throwing out old or useless items.
Read on to learn about how to stop hoarding in seniors with dementia and what you can do to help them.
The Link Between Hoarding and Dementia
Hoarding behavior is not uncommon among older adults. It's natural for someone to collect items with sentimental value over the years and find it difficult to part with them.
Regarding dementia, brain areas responsible for the following are affected:
- Judgment
- Memory
- Decision-making
An individual may forget they already had multiple boxes of a cereal they like. They may develop an emotional attachment to meaningless or broken items.
Behavioral changes in aging can amplify hoarding tendencies. Understanding how dementia can influence those behaviors is important.
Why Hoarding Can Be Dangerous
Safe living environments allow for easy movement. They're clean, livable, and easy to live in.
A home belonging to a hoarder is anything but safe or livable.
Cluttered walkways increase the risk of falls. Piles of paper can become fire hazards, and expired food can cause foodborne illnesses. In addition, excessively cluttered environments can create barriers to caregiving and hygiene.
Living in this kind of space is dangerous to a senior's health.
How to Stop Hoarding in Dementia
There are some family caregiver tips you can follow to help your loved ones deal with hoarding. Keep in mind that tackling the issue becomes more difficult when adding dementia into the equation.
Recognize the Behavior
The first step is to recognize harmful behaviors and not only the mess it creates. Even if you were to clean up a person's house, their hoarding tendencies would quickly return it to its original state.
It's essential to understand why the individual is collecting these items.
Are they scared of running out of essentials? Do they fear abandonment? Are their memory problems to blame?
Addressing these habits with empathy means approaching the problem from a place of understanding. The same goes for other risky activities like driving or wandering.
Involve the Person in Decision-Making
When possible, involve the individual in the process of organizing and downsizing. Getting rid of their items without notifying them is only going to cause distress and a potentially explosive reaction.
Including your loved one can reduce feelings of loss or violation that come from removing belongings. Try giving them a choice, such as which shirt they want to keep. Let them know how certain objects can cause them harm.
Establish Daily Routines
Dementia often causes people to feel disoriented or anxious. Hoarding can sometimes stem from a desire to assert control. It helps if you establish a predictable, calming routine to reduce their anxiety. Routines should include:
- Consistent meal times
- Sleep schedules
- Calming activities
A structured environment helps limit disruptive behaviors.
Declutter Gradually and With Respect
Avoid making sweeping clean-outs without your loved one's involvement. Instead, start with small, manageable areas of the home.
Focus first on high-risk zones such as kitchens and bathrooms. Prioritize safety while explaining your reasons gently.
For example, rotting food can make them sick and cause pests to invade their space. Encourage them to help you remove any old food from the fridge and countertops.
Keep the decluttering process calm and non-judgmental. Always emphasize health and safety.
Create Designated Saving Spaces
It's unrealistic to expect a person with dementia to stop collecting things. Instead, consider creating a designated drawer, bin, or shelf where they can store items.
By providing a controlled space, you can minimize clutter. Over time, you can help them organize and limit what goes into this space.
Use Visual Cues and Labels
Memory loss is a major contributor to hoarding. Individuals may forget where they put things and mistakenly believe they've lost them. The next thing they know, they have four toasters lying around their living room.
To reduce confusion, clearly label drawers and cabinets with words and pictures. Transparent containers also help individuals see what they already own.
Limit Access to Excess Supplies
Some people with dementia will compulsively buy or collect household items like canned food or toilet paper. Limiting access to excessive quantities can reduce stockpiling without causing distress.
As a caregiver, your goal should be to supply only what they need. Keep any overflow items in a locked cabinet or a separate room. Try to prevent them from buying items online or stocking up at the store.
Engage a Geriatric Specialist or Therapist
If a behavior becomes severe or unmanageable, consider involving a geriatric psychiatrist or occupational therapist. These professionals are trained to work with behavioral changes in aging and can offer tailored strategies.
Some therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), may help individuals recognize and manage their behaviors. You may also want to consider moving a loved one into a senior living community with memory care services.
Connect With Support Groups
Caring for someone who hoards due to dementia can be exhausting and isolating. Family caregivers benefit from connecting with others in similar situations.
Look for local Alzheimer's or dementia caregiver groups, or explore online communities. Sharing your experience and strategies can lighten the emotional load. You may also learn a thing or two from your peers.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Home
Learning how to stop hoarding in dementia means staying flexible, patient, and compassionate. The process involves many steps, and you won't see results immediately. You need to take your time, or you may cause fear and anxiety in your loved ones.
TerraBella Rock Hill provides assisted living services in the Rock Hill area. Our residents have access to amenities such as spacious apartments, daily meals, and various activities. Reach out today to learn more and schedule a tour.