Your mother’s behavior of stuffing sugar packets into her pockets is likely a symptom of dementia called “pica.” Pica is when someone eats or collects non-food items or unusual things. In dementia patients, this can include hoarding small objects like sugar packets[11].
This behavior often happens because dementia affects the brain in ways that change a person’s eating habits and impulse control. Your mother may be attracted to the bright colors or crinkly texture of the sugar packets. Or she might think she needs to save them for later, even if that doesn’t make logical sense to others[1][11].
Sometimes, pica in dementia patients can be a way of seeking comfort or security. Familiar objects like sugar packets might make your mother feel safe in a world that’s becoming more confusing to her[11].
It’s important to know this behavior isn’t harmful in itself, as long as she’s not eating the packets. However, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t escalate to eating inedible things, which could be dangerous[11].
To help manage this behavior, try to figure out if there’s a pattern to when she collects the packets. Maybe it happens when she’s anxious or bored. You could try distracting her with other activities or giving her safe objects to collect instead[1][3].
Remember, this isn’t your mother being difficult on purpose. It’s a symptom of how dementia is affecting her brain. Patience and understanding are key. If you’re concerned, it’s always a good idea to talk to her doctor about any new behaviors[1][3].
