Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of myALZteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Keep telling my mom to leave her pocket book on the table, so she want miss placed it. And we have look for it. But she keeps moving it.

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Chesterfield, VA
August 1
 · 
Be the first to react
A myALZteam Member

If it is important to you maybe you should have a camera installed. I just look for stuff. Sometimes a little frustrating but never upsetting.
Good luck

August 6
A myALZteam Member

As one that has ALZ, my husband can completely relate. That said, the , ‘always put it in the same place and you will always know where it is’, doesn’t seem to work for me. Where is the same place?!?

What seems logical and a ‘no brainer’ for the non-ALZ’ers, is yet another source of confusion and trepidation for some of us afflicted. Stay strong to my fellow ALZ’ers! We are not alone!

August 3
A myALZteam Member

Yep, I deal with this too. I had to simplify my mom's environment, eliminate places for her to tuck things. I got rid of as much as I could get away with, so there's fewer places to look. I also started watching where she sticks most things, so I know where to look first when I can't find her glasses, the remote, her phone, etc. I have a handy shelf near her chair and near her bed where most things end up now, making it easier.

August 2
myALZteam

It sounds like keeping track of your mom's purse has become a real challenge! With Alzheimer's, reasoning and understanding cause-and-effect become very difficult, so asking her to leave it in one spot may not stick, no matter how many times it's mentioned.

Instead of relying on reminders, here are some practical Show Full Answer

It sounds like keeping track of your mom's purse has become a real challenge! With Alzheimer's, reasoning and understanding cause-and-effect become very difficult, so asking her to leave it in one spot may not stick, no matter how many times it's mentioned.

Instead of relying on reminders, here are some practical strategies that may help:

- Reduce her options — Keep only essential items visible and accessible, which can make decision-making simpler for her
- Create a consistent "home base" — Place a clearly labeled basket or hook near the door specifically for her purse, making it visually obvious
- Use a tracker — Attach a small Bluetooth tracker (like a Tile or AirTag) to her purse so it can be located quickly with a phone
- Redirect her attention — If she reaches for the purse, gently guide her toward another activity she enjoys

Arguing or repeatedly correcting her is likely to cause frustration for both of you. Keeping calm and finding workarounds tends to work much better than reasoning with her about it.

A myALZteam member shared a similar approach with finances, giving their loved one a small amount of cash to handle independently — which helped satisfy the need to manage their belongings without causing bigger problems.

August 1

Related Questions

View All

Moving mom into a facility

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
St. Louis, MO
November 13, 2021 (edited)

When and how to take keys away

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Westminster, CO
January 1, 2020

Do People With Alzheimer’s Know They Have It?
Lithium Treatment for Alzheimer’s: Can It Help?
Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease: How Can It Help?
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a member? Log In