Shredding tissue paper and collecting napkins when we eat out. So how do I deal with this?

jmartinij, I see from your profile that your Mom has Alzheimer's/Dementia, so please note what she is doing is normal. From what I have read, this is a phase, so just grin and bear it until it stops.

Could you put out of sight the tissue boxes and have her use handkerchiefs? The hankies cannot be torn up, but then she might find other things to tear up like paper towels, newspapers, magazines, mail. But the hankies might be worth a try. And give her something she can tear up.

When my mother in law came to live with us almost three years ago we quickly learned about the tissue, napkin etc. obsession. We started going through a box of tissues a day. They were stuffed down in her chair, up sleeves, down her bra and anywhere else she could hide them. We went out and bought colorful bandanas for her. We give her one or two a day depending on what she does with it and she likes the colors. She hasn't asked for any paper products since then but now she has to have the bandana at all times. A good trade off.

My mom has vascular dementia. She was a very active person prior to the stroke that gave her this condition. When she folds and tears things its a sign of that active person now bored looking for something useful to do. All things for them take time, so not all will work depending on what's going on for the day: give cheap pretty napkens to fold and tear (dollar tree biglots 99 cent store) coloring book (they make adult ones) bedmaking, towel folding, sock folding, light yard work, a short walk, they make fidget aprons with buttons and ribbons. If you have a handy friend they can make you one. I take mom to a church Alzheimer's day care two times a week, they have arts in crafts and singing and church. Shes tired after and doesnt fiddle as much. There's always going to be stuff like this till there is no more stuff. I keep that in mind when she uses the towels for tp! :)

My MIL would collect napkins, straws, jelly packets, sugar, creamers and whatever else would fit in her purse. At that point you either stop taking the purse or you stop taking the patient.

When my Mom lived in her home, there were used tissues everywhere. She continued to use tons living with me. She would go through boxes of 200ct in no time. She did have a problem with a runny nose constantly. Dr. put her on Claritan. Helpes alot. I too would find them up sleeves, in pockets. Bad thing is forgetting to check before washing her clothes and having them all over the washer and clogging the dryer filter.

Lost my mom August 10, this year" Mom had dementia and tearing tissue folding them is normal, what I know and have experience tearing up tissue is something you would rather her to be doing.. It keep her still so you don't have to worry about her trying to get up and might fall or getting aggressive believe me you have not seen anything yet so sit back and let her do what she's doing because worst is coming. Sorry for being so blunt wish someone was this blunt with me doing her process.

Reminds also of traveling in Greece where the elderly play with worry beads - something for their hands to do while they sit and watch others being busy

Folding towels and sorting socks are perfect as is putting away the silverware in the drawer - everyone likes to help to do something while they still can

Wow. I can't believe how many caregivers deal with this same issue as I do with the hiding of everything and the tissue thing. That's why I live this blog/support site. It is
Such great support👍🏻‼️

My Mom started putting the used tissues back in the box. Even though she had a sm. trash can right there. Then I'd find a pile of tissues out of the box. One time the box was torn up. Another I think she thought it was a mail box. So, I got a wooden tissue box stand put the box in it. Then she could only take one tissue out at a time.

I'm sorry