Adjusting the environment for a person with Alzheimer’s disease can not only make life easier for the person, but also for their care partner. Rummaging, pillaging, hiding and hoarding are behaviors common to people with Alzheimer’s. The reasons are unclear, but the need for security may be an underlying factor. There are gentle, loving, and practical ways that can be used to foster a feeling of security for the person with Alzheimer’s.

Here are some tips to get started:

• Label drawers, cabinets and closets with the word or picture of items stored there
• Attach small articles to large and more colorful things, like key rings
• Consider purchasing a remote control locator for important or frequently misplaced items
• Check the contents of wastebaskets before throwing out the trash
• Have duplicates made of important items or put important items out of sight and in a place only the care partner knows
• Simplify the house by removing clutter and unnecessary items from view
• Substitute expensive items (like jewelry) with less expensive substitutes that may be lost
• Accept that things will be lost, relax and surrender to the search for the missing items. Try to make this time an activity for you and your loved one (e.g. I’ll help you look, we’ll find it together)

By Alzheimer’s Association