Grandma’s putting clothes in the oven? Don’t worry, it’s actually pretty common for people with dementia. As the disease progresses, it can cause confusion about how to use everyday objects[1]. Your grandmother might be mixing up the oven with the washing machine or dryer, thinking she’s doing laundry[2].
This behavior is often called “misplacing objects” and it’s one of the signs of dementia that family members might notice[14]. People with dementia sometimes put things in odd places, like keys in the fridge or shoes in the oven[14]. They might not remember where things are supposed to go anymore.
It’s not just about forgetfulness though. Dementia can mess with a person’s ability to recognize objects and understand how to use them properly[1]. So in your grandma’s mind, the oven might seem like a perfectly logical place for clothes.
This kind of mix-up can be frustrating and even dangerous. You’ll want to keep an eye out to make sure your grandmother doesn’t accidentally turn on the oven with clothes inside[2]. It might be a good idea to put some safety measures in place, like removing the oven knobs when it’s not in use[12].
Remember, your grandmother isn’t doing this on purpose. It’s the disease causing these strange behaviors. The best thing you can do is stay patient, keep her safe, and maybe find some simple activities to keep her hands busy in a safer way[1][5].
There are lots of activities designed for people with dementia that can help. Things like sorting objects, folding towels, or working with clay can give her something to do with her hands that’s less risky[5][8]. These activities can also help stimulate her mind and maybe even bring back some happy memories.
The main thing is to approach this with understanding. Your grandma’s brain is changing, and sometimes that means she’ll do things that don’t make sense to us. But with some patience and creativity, you can help keep her safe and maybe even find new ways to connect with her.
