Dementia can cause strange behaviors, including trying to eat non-food items like soap. This condition is called pica. When someone has dementia, the parts of their brain that control appetite, recognize edible objects, and understand social norms around eating can become damaged.
Your father may be trying to eat soap for a few reasons. His sense of smell and taste might be altered, making the soap seem like food. He could be experiencing intense hunger or cravings that override his ability to distinguish food from non-food. The soap’s texture or appearance may be confusing his brain into thinking it’s edible.
Sometimes people with dementia put things in their mouth as a way of exploring objects when they can’t make sense of them visually or by touch alone. Your father may also be reverting to infant-like behaviors of mouthing objects.
It’s important to keep potentially harmful items like soap out of reach. Try offering healthy snacks frequently if hunger seems to be driving the behavior. Consult his doctor, as pica can sometimes indicate nutritional deficiencies or medication side effects that need addressing.
Remember that your father isn’t doing this on purpose to upset anyone. His brain is simply not working properly due to the dementia. Stay patient and focus on keeping him safe while working with his care team to manage concerning behaviors.
