Do you know a senior who has some form of cognitive impairment and rummages through their belongings or maybe those of someone else? Maybe he or she still lives independently at home or has moved into a senior living community. Either way, rummaging can cause a lot of different emotional reactions for both the senior and others involved in it. Some rummaging can cause others to get upset because their personal items might be rearranged or left messy. Others may become frustrated or angry at the individual rummaging through their belongings. Items may become lost or misplaced, causing aggravation and annoyance. The individual doing the rummaging may find comfort in it. He or she may find rummaging soothing, relaxing and stress-free. In other words, it can be an effective coping mechanism.
What is Rummaging? Why Does it Happen?
Rummaging is the act of going through one’s personal items or those of another individual. It is a behavior often associated with some neurocognitive disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease. It takes place for a number of reasons. The individual may be looking for something familiar from either their past or the present. They may be seeking comfort from looking for something they had many years ago. Rummaging, too, may be a way to relieve stress and anxiety. Some individuals may be triggered to rummage by items in the environment or from feelings of sadness or loneliness. It may also be associated with the deterioration of neurons and neurotransmitters as the disease process becomes worse. Either way, it is most likely a part of the neurocognitive disorder and not a normal activity for the individual.
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How to Manage Rummaging
Should someone try to stop seniors from rummaging? Probably not. This may only cause increased stress and anxiety, frustration, panic, fear or worse. Some individuals may become aggressive or combative when their rummaging behavior is interrupted. So, if stopping the behavior is not the appropriate thing to do, what can be done to manage it?
Safety First!
First and foremost, always make sure the individual is safe and that no harm will come from rummaging. There may be dangerous items around, so these should be removed from the environment. Old food that has been out for a while or has spoiled should also be removed from the senior’s rummaging areas. Some individuals will rummage through pantries, kitchen drawers, and other places where food is stored.
Store the Valuables
Once the environment has been cleared of potentially dangerous items and spoiled food, make sure that all valuable personal items are stored away safely. For instance, wedding rings, expensive jewelry, personal wills and other legal documents can easily go missing or may be lost down drains, toilets or the trash. The same is true for credit cards, check books, and the car keys. Losing these items only causes a lot of stress and much work to replace them.
Observe for Triggers and Patterns
One good way to manage rummaging behaviors is watch for things that might lead to or trigger them. There may also be patterns to the rummaging behavior such as time of day or specific environments. Does the individual rummage in the morning, afternoon or evening? Does the behavior occur when he or she is hungry, thirsty, needs to go to the bathroom, or feeling lonely, sad or anxious? Is the individual bored and there is nothing better to do than rummage?
Replace Boredom with Enjoyment
In many instances, rummaging is an act of boredom and the individual is simply looking for something to do. Confusion or memory impairment can also be associated with the urge to do something. Providing structure throughout the person’s day is a good way to reduce rummaging. Providing meaningful activities that are fun and enjoyable may also help. Food can be a great way to fill some of the person’s time as well. And, sometimes rummaging is a good activity that can reduce anxiety and bring one’s past to the present. Remember, it’s all about the quality of living and rummaging brings quality, well that’s ok, too.
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