Grandma’s Whipped Cream Pockets: Understanding Unusual Behaviors in Dementia
If you’ve noticed your grandmother with dementia putting whipped cream in her pockets, you’re not alone. This kind of unusual behavior is actually quite common in people with dementia, and there’s a name for it: pica[3][5].
Pica is when someone eats or tries to eat things that aren’t food. In dementia, this can extend to collecting or hiding non-food items too. Your grandma might be attracted to the whipped cream because of its texture or smell, or she might be confusing it with something else[5].
As dementia progresses, people often lose their ability to recognize objects correctly. Your grandmother might think the whipped cream is lotion or something else she wants to keep handy. Or she might be trying to save it for later because she’s worried about not having enough food[1][3].
Sometimes, people with dementia do things that seem strange to us because they’re reliving memories from their past. Maybe your grandma used to keep something important in her pockets, and now she’s repeating that behavior with the whipped cream[1].
It’s also common for people with dementia to have trouble with impulse control. Your grandmother might see the whipped cream and suddenly feel the urge to take it, without really thinking about why or where to put it[11].
While it might seem funny or frustrating, try to remember that your grandmother isn’t doing this on purpose to cause trouble. Her brain is changing, and these behaviors are a result of that. The best thing you can do is to keep her safe (make sure she’s not eating anything dangerous), stay calm, and maybe give her something safe to carry in her pockets instead[3][5].
If you’re worried about this behavior, it’s always a good idea to talk to her doctor. They might have some helpful suggestions or want to check if there’s another health issue causing this[5].
Remember, your grandma is still the same person you’ve always loved, even if she’s doing some unexpected things now. Patience, understanding, and a sense of humor can go a long way in dealing with the surprises dementia can bring.
