Why is my grandmother with dementia dipping crackers into her tea and then putting them in her purse?

Grandma’s Cracker Caper: Understanding Unusual Behaviors in Dementia

If you’ve noticed your grandmother with dementia dipping crackers in her tea and stashing them in her purse, you’re not alone. This quirky behavior is actually quite common in people with dementia, and there are a few reasons why it might be happening.

First off, dementia affects the brain in ways that can change a person’s behavior and habits[1]. As the condition progresses, your grandmother might do things that seem odd or out of character. This could include putting objects in strange places or becoming fixated on certain items or actions[2].

The cracker-dipping could be a form of “collecting” behavior. People with dementia sometimes gather and hoard items, even if they don’t seem valuable to others[1]. Your grandma might feel a need to save these tea-soaked crackers for later, even if it doesn’t make sense to us.

Another possibility is that your grandmother is experiencing changes in her taste preferences or eating habits. Dementia can affect a person’s sense of taste and their interest in food[3]. The act of dipping the crackers might be her way of making them more appealing or easier to eat.

It’s also worth considering that this behavior might be linked to a condition called pica, which can sometimes occur in people with dementia. Pica involves eating non-food items or strange combinations of food[7]. While tea-soaked crackers aren’t exactly inedible, the behavior does seem unusual.

The important thing to remember is that these behaviors, while strange to us, often make sense to the person with dementia in some way[1]. Your grandmother might be finding comfort or purpose in this ritual, even if we can’t understand why.

What can you do about it? First, make sure the behavior isn’t harmful. If the crackers are fresh and the tea is safe to drink, it’s probably not causing any physical harm. You might want to keep an eye on her purse to make sure old, moldy crackers aren’t accumulating.

If the behavior is bothering your grandmother or causing problems, you could try gently redirecting her attention to another activity she enjoys. Sometimes, people with dementia engage in repetitive behaviors when they’re bored or anxious, so providing other stimulating activities might help[1].

Remember, patience is key. Your grandmother isn’t trying to be difficult – her brain is processing things differently now. Treating her with kindness and understanding can go a long way in maintaining a positive relationship and ensuring her comfort.

In the end, as long as your grandmother isn’t harming herself or others, it might be best to simply accept this new quirk as part of who she is now. After all, we all have our little oddities – your grandma’s just happen to involve tea and crackers!