Aunt Martha’s Peculiar Laundry Day
Have you ever caught your aunt with dementia neatly folding her clothes, only to toss them out the window like confetti? You’re not alone in this puzzling scenario. This behavior, while strange to us, is actually quite common in people with dementia[1][3].
Dementia messes with the brain in ways that can make everyday tasks seem confusing or out of order. Your aunt might remember how to fold clothes perfectly, but forget what to do with them next[5]. In her mind, the window might look like the perfect place to store her freshly folded outfits.
Sometimes, people with dementia get stuck repeating actions they used to do all the time. Folding laundry might be something your aunt did every week for years. Now, her brain gets caught in a loop, making her fold and refold without knowing when to stop[3].
The window-tossing part? That could be her brain’s way of “completing” the task. She might think she’s putting the clothes away, not realizing she’s actually sending her favorite sweater on a surprise skydiving trip[5].
It’s also possible that your aunt is feeling restless or anxious. Folding and throwing clothes might be her way of keeping busy or expressing frustration she can’t put into words[13].
While it might be tempting to scold her or try to explain why it’s wrong, remember that she’s not doing this on purpose. Her brain is playing tricks on her. Instead, try to gently redirect her attention to something else she enjoys, like looking at old photos or listening to her favorite music[3].
If the clothes-tossing becomes a big problem, you might need to make some changes. Maybe move her folding area away from windows or give her a basket of safe items to sort and fold instead of her actual clothes[5].
The most important thing is to stay patient and kind. Your aunt isn’t trying to cause trouble – she’s just navigating a world that doesn’t make sense to her anymore. With a little understanding and creativity, you can help make her days a bit easier, even if it means occasionally rescuing a stray sock from the rosebushes.
