Grandma’s Marbles in Coffee: A Dementia Puzzle
If you’ve noticed your grandmother with dementia putting marbles in her coffee, you’re not alone. This unusual behavior is actually quite common in people with dementia and has a name: pica.
Pica is when someone eats or tries to eat things that aren’t food. In dementia, it can show up as putting non-food items in food or drinks. Your grandma might think the marbles are sugar cubes or just be confused about what goes in coffee.
Dementia messes with the brain in ways that can make people do strange things. It can mix up memories, change how things look, and make it hard to tell what’s food and what’s not. Your grandma’s brain might be telling her those marbles belong in her coffee, even though we know they don’t.
This behavior can be dangerous. Marbles could break teeth or cause choking. It’s important to keep an eye on what your grandma puts in her food and drinks. You might need to remove marbles and other small objects from areas where she eats.
Remember, your grandma isn’t doing this on purpose. Her brain is playing tricks on her. It’s frustrating and maybe a bit scary, but it’s part of the disease. The best thing you can do is stay calm, keep her safe, and show her lots of love.
If you’re worried, talk to her doctor. They might have ideas to help or could check if there’s another health issue causing this. Sometimes, simple changes like using clear cups or helping her make her coffee can make a big difference.
Dealing with dementia isn’t easy, but understanding why these odd behaviors happen can help. Your grandma needs your patience and support now more than ever. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll look back and smile at the time Grandma thought marbles were the secret ingredient to the perfect cup of joe.
