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How should you deal with night time hoarding?

Snow bunny asked...

How do you deal with hoarding at nighttime? She gathers everthing in her room and piles it on the bed. Its a pain because I can't keep her in Pull-ups. So, she ends up dirtying all the clothes. Any help?

Expert Answer

A social worker and geriatric consultant who specializes in dementia care, Joyce Simard is based in Land O' Lakes, Florida, and in Prague. She is a well-known speaker and has written two books, one focusing on end-of-life care and the other, entitled The Magic Tape Recorder, explaining aging, memory loss, and how children can be helpers to their elders.

I must say this "nighttime hoarding" is a new one for me. So,I will do what I tell every care giver to do with "problems"they encounter..keep trying different options. I would think the major problem is with the "pull ups". Have you tried getting her to wear a "jump suit" with the zipper in the back so she cannot get the pull-ups pulled down at night? Or, suspenders on them, or layers, pull ups, pants, PJ bottoms?

Can she go to another room to sleep where you can have clothing from Goodwill around and she can stack them as she pleases? Or take the things you do not want her to "hoard" and put them in a locked dresser?

Also try to create a peaceful place for her to sleep, soft soothing music, the scent of lavender, soft blanket, make sure she has gone to the bathroom and maybe had some warm milk to drink.

I hope one of these suggestions help. Bless you for your patience!