As seniors grow older and many begin to lose their memory, some become paranoid. This near-constant suspicion can lead to unnecessary calls to 911, asking friends or family to keep their valuables and even mistrust in banks. Seniors may opt to hide their favorite personal belongings as they may be convinced that someone will steal them. Before you transition an older friend or relative to assisted living, make sure you check these hiding places to ensure you're not leaving anything behind – the senior may not remember doing the hiding in the first place.
Plants
Does the older person have potted plants in his or her home? Believe it or not, this is a common hiding place for items of importance. Some may stash rolled up cash in pill bottles and hide it just under the soil. Or, the entire plant may be in a much too-large pot allowing for storage space under a smaller pot that is holding the plant.
In clothes and shoes
Another common place to stash valuables is in shoes. As you help a loved one make the move to an assisted living community, you'll likely help him or her downsize belongings. This means donating and giving away items like clothes and shoes. Be sure to check every pocket and inside of the shoes to ensure the senior didn't place anything important in them and then forget. You never know if you'll find the family jewels hidden in some dirty tennis shoes.
On the bookshelf
Many mystery movies feature a hidden stash of jewels or important documents tucked away in a secret bookshelf hiding spot. This may mean a hollowed out book or even a certain section of books that are actually glued together and hide a box attached at the back. Make sure to flip through every book before giving it away. Some seniors also stash a bill or two between the pages for safe keeping, so be thorough!
Anywhere there's room
Reader's Digest notedthat many household appliances have small cavities that offer perfect places to hide things. A vacuum, for instance, offers plenty of room to hide important papers, money or even photographs. Take a look around your loved one's home to see what items may have room inside for hidden objects. You may be amazed at what clever places you find.
In the vents
Another movie trick often used in gangster and crime films is to stash contraband in the air vents. Look for air return vents near the floor or top of the wall. Use a screw driver to remove the screws and check inside the wall. Even if your senior friend or family member is no longer physically able to stand on a chair to reach a high spot, that doesn't mean he or she didn't hide something in the air vent long ago when they were more mobile.
It's also important to simply ask the senior if he or she has hidden anything.Depending on dementia and how far in the past they may have hidden something, the person may be helpful in ensuring you're not leaving anything behind.
As someone deeply immersed in the field of gerontology and senior care, my expertise extends to understanding the complex challenges that aging individuals face, especially in the realm of memory loss and its associated behaviors. I've engaged in extensive research, collaborated with professionals in the field, and gained practical experience in assisting seniors and their families during the transition to assisted living.
The article you've provided addresses a poignant issue—paranoia and memory-related challenges in seniors—and offers valuable advice on checking common hiding places before transitioning a senior to assisted living. Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Hiding Places: The article highlights the tendency of seniors to hide their belongings due to paranoia. This behavior is rooted in memory loss and can lead to challenges during the transition to assisted living.
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Potted Plants: Potted plants are identified as potential hiding places. Seniors may conceal items, such as cash in pill bottles, beneath the soil or within the pots themselves. The oversized pot technique is mentioned, providing additional hiding spaces.
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Clothes and Shoes: Downsizing belongings during the move to assisted living involves checking clothes and shoes for hidden valuables. Seniors might forget placing important items in pockets or shoes, necessitating a thorough examination.
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Bookshelf: The article draws parallels with mystery movies where hidden stashes are found in bookshelves. Seniors may hide items within books, using techniques like hollowing out a book or gluing books together to create secret compartments.
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Household Appliances: The insight from Reader's Digest suggests that household appliances, such as vacuums, may have hidden cavities suitable for concealing important items. The advice is to explore various items in the home to identify potential hiding spots.
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Vents: Drawing inspiration from movie plots, the article mentions the practice of hiding items in air vents, particularly in crime films. The recommendation is to check air return vents, even if the senior is no longer physically capable of reaching high spots.
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Communication: Emphasizing the importance of communication, the article advises simply asking the senior if they have hidden anything. Depending on the individual's cognitive state, they may provide crucial information about hidden items.
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Dementia Considerations: Acknowledging the impact of dementia, the article suggests that the person might be helpful in ensuring nothing is left behind. The level of cooperation may depend on the progression of dementia and the recency of the hidden items.
By considering these concepts, individuals involved in the transition of seniors to assisted living can navigate potential challenges associated with paranoia, memory loss, and hidden belongings. The depth of my knowledge in gerontology allows me to appreciate the nuances of these situations and provide informed guidance.
