Aunt Martha’s New Hiding Spot
Have you noticed your aunt with dementia tucking house keys into her shoes lately? You’re not alone. This behavior is actually pretty common for people living with dementia.
Why the shoes, though? Well, shoes are familiar objects that your aunt uses every day. They feel safe and personal to her. In her mind, hiding important things like keys in her shoes keeps them secure and easy to find later.
As dementia progresses, people often develop an urge to hide belongings. They might worry about losing things or having them stolen. Your aunt probably thinks she’s being clever by using her shoes as a secret storage spot.
The tricky part is, she may forget where she put the keys soon after hiding them. This can lead to frustration for everyone when it’s time to leave the house.
What’s really going on in your aunt’s brain? Dementia causes changes that affect memory, reasoning, and behavior. The part of her mind that understands the proper place for keys is getting a bit jumbled up.
Some other reasons she might be hiding keys:
• She feels a need to keep her possessions close
• It gives her a sense of control in a confusing world
• She’s following an old habit or routine from the past
• She’s trying to keep herself or others from leaving
So what can you do? Try not to scold her about hiding things. Instead, create a designated “key spot” that’s easy for her to remember and access. You could also get her a special keychain or bright key cover to make them more noticeable.
Keep spare keys handy, and maybe consider a keyless entry system if the hiding becomes a big problem. Most importantly, respond with patience and understanding. Your aunt isn’t trying to cause trouble – her brain is just working differently now.
Remember, this key-hiding phase will likely pass as her condition changes. In the meantime, maybe invest in some comfy slippers for her – they’re harder to hide things in!
