This is really common behaviour and very hard to avoid so best to accept that she will do this and she can't help it. Its not always clear what drives this behaviour and it can be really odd things that people hoard or steal. As Steve says society should be accepting of disabilities of all kinds. It would be wrong to rob someone of all their freedom and independence when the reallity is that its usually small trivial things of little value that are pocketed. Would it be possible to remove stolen items from the home later without her knowledge? Confrontation is always better avoided if you can.

Jackie would stick things up her jumper. We would stand to leave a café/ pub and she would leave a trail of beer mats, cutlery, napkins in her wake. An opportunity to do something for themselves in a confusing world where more and more things get done to / for them? Who knows. Not the worst thing and can be very funny. We’ve always run a no apologies policy. The days when people have to excuse a disability, even an invisible one, are thankfully behind us.

My husband and mother did it all the time. Boy do I have stories. When my sister and I were cleaning out her things in the nursing home, we found so many things that did not belong to her including a wallet and prescription glasses. Whenever I think about it, I actually laugh! So many do it! If you take then shopping, watch their hands, no pockets in their clothing and pay them down before leaving. One time my husband was going through someone’s purse that they left on the pew to take communion. I notified stores and other places upfront just so he wasn’t stopped for shoplifting. I only took them both to places that were understanding.

Hi Andrea
Yes it does happen with some of them.
My mum did when we went to the hairdressers they have a bowl of sweets and mum would fill her pockets and handbag with sweets.
Mum would also come home with booklets and leaflets luckily mum it is in a wheelchair when we are out so we can keep an eye.
Hugs and prayers to you and you family.

Thank you very much all- your replies, thoughts and support have been really helpful.