Your aunt with dementia stacking crackers into towers is likely engaging in a behavior called “hoarding” or “collecting.” This is common in people with dementia and can serve several purposes for them.
For someone with dementia, the world can feel confusing and out of control. Stacking crackers gives your aunt a simple, repetitive task that she can manage. It may help her feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
The act of organizing objects like crackers can also be soothing and provide comfort. Your aunt may find the routine and predictability calming in a world that increasingly doesn’t make sense to her.
Additionally, people with dementia often struggle with short-term memory but retain older memories. The familiar shape and texture of crackers might remind your aunt of past experiences, like making snacks for her family. Handling the crackers could be a way of connecting to those memories.
Sometimes, hoarding behaviors stem from fears of not having enough. Your aunt may be stacking crackers as a way to ensure she always has food available, even if she logically knows there’s plenty.
It’s also possible that your aunt simply enjoys the sensory experience of stacking crackers – the feel, smell, and sight of the organized towers may be pleasing to her.
While this behavior is usually harmless, it’s a good idea to monitor it to ensure your aunt isn’t becoming overly fixated or distressed. If the cracker stacking seems to bring her comfort and doesn’t interfere with her daily life, it may be best to allow it.
Remember, people with dementia often find their own ways to cope with their changing world. As long as your aunt is safe and not overly distressed, her cracker stacking could be seen as a creative adaptation to her condition.
