Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may start rummaging or searching through cabinets, drawers, closets, the refrigerator, and other places where things are stored. They may also hide items around the house.

In some cases, there might be a logical reason for this behavior. For instance, they may be looking for something specific but not able to tell you what it is. They may be hungry or bored. Try to understand what is causing the behavior so you can fit your response to the cause.

Tips to make rummaging safer

You can take steps that allow the person with Alzheimer’s to rummage while keeping the person safe. Try these tips:

• Lock up dangerous or toxic products or place them out of the person’s sight and reach.
• Remove spoiled food from the refrigerator and cabinets. Someone with Alzheimer’s may look for snacks but lack the judgment or sense of taste to stay away from foods that have gone bad.
• Remove valuable items that could be misplaced or hidden by the person, such as important papers, checkbooks, credit cards, jewelry, cellphones, and keys.
• People with Alzheimer’s often hide, lose, or throw away mail. If this is a serious problem, consider getting a post office box. If you have a yard with a fence and a locked gate, place your mailbox outside the gate.

More tips to cope with rummaging and hiding

Here are some more suggestions to help manage rummaging and hiding behavior:

• Keep the person with Alzheimer’s from going into any unused room. This limits their rummaging and hiding things.
• Search the house to learn where the person often hides things. Once you find these places, check them often when out of sight of the person.
• Keep all trash cans covered or out of sight. People with Alzheimer’s may not remember the purpose of the container or may rummage through it.
• Check trash containers before you empty them in case something has been hidden there or thrown away by accident.

For more information

NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
800-438-4380
adear@nia.nih.gov
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
The NIA ADEAR Center offers information and publications for download (PDF) about Alzheimer’s and related dementias for families, caregivers, and health professionals. ADEAR Center staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources.

Alzheimers.gov
www.alzheimers.gov
Explore the Alzheimers.gov website for information and resources on Alzheimer’s and related dementias from across the federal government.

Eldercare Locator
800-677-1116
eldercarelocator@USAging.org
https://eldercare.acl.gov

Alzheimer’s Association
800-272-3900 
866-403-3073 (TTY)
info@alz.org
www.alz.org 

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
866-232-8484
info@alzfdn.org
https://alzfdn.org

Family Caregiver Alliance
800-445-8106
info@caregiver.org
www.caregiver.org