{"id":15321,"date":"2019-09-15T06:26:56","date_gmt":"2019-09-15T06:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/?p=15321"},"modified":"2019-09-15T06:28:18","modified_gmt":"2019-09-15T06:28:18","slug":"tips-for-caregivers-what-is-hoarding-and-how-to-manage-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brainsparks.com.au\/tips-for-caregivers-what-is-hoarding-and-how-to-manage-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Caregivers: What is Hoarding and How to Manage It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hoarding is a behaviour that can be seen in people with\u00a0<\/span>Alzheimer’s<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>other forms of dementia<\/span><\/a>, where individuals collect\u00a0and stockpile certain things. Sorting through things that are familiar to them can be reassuring for someone with dementia. For example, the person may want to keep piles of papers that are completely useless or stock up on food and refuse to dispose of it, even after it has gone off. Hoarding can also involve constant rummaging through drawers and belongings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Does Hoarding Occur?<\/h2>\n

Hoarding is most common in the early and middle\u00a0stages of Alzheimer’s disease<\/span><\/a>. It is typically a response to a feeling of anxiety or worries about losing things. Hoarding can occur due to feelings of a loss of control, loss of memory or loss of a meaningful role in life. It can also occur as a result of a loss of social ability, where the person with dementia feels isolated and turns to things to replace interacting with others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In some cases, hoarding can develop from a previous interest that becomes amplified when dementia reduces the ability to control impulses. For example, someone who collected train sets for years may suddenly develop an interest again and start to expand their collection to the point where it starts to take over the house.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other difficulties associated with hoarding are that people with dementia tend to hide the items that they are hoarding, and with failing memory they may forget where they have put the items, and then accuse others of taking them. Sometimes this can lead to the person thinking that someone is going to steal their belongings.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Items Are Commonly Hoarded?<\/h2>\n

Hoarding can occur with any item, but some of the most common things that people with dementia may hoard include:<\/span><\/p>\n