What do you put in a dementia rummage box? A guide for meaningful engagement

Individuals with dementia often exhibit rummaging behavior as a coping mechanism or a search for purpose. By thoughtfully curating items and understanding the person's history, you can determine what do you put in a dementia rummage box to provide comfort, engagement, and a sense of purpose.

Quick Summary

A dementia rummage box should contain a personalized collection of safe, significant, and multi-sensory items that reflect a person's interests and life history. Including objects with various textures, familiar scents, and visual memories can provide a calming and engaging activity, redirecting rummaging tendencies into a positive experience.

Key Points

• Personalization is Key: The most effective rummage boxes contain items that are personally significant to the individual, reflecting their history and interests.

• Safety Above All: Ensure all items are safe to handle and cannot be swallowed or used to cause harm. Avoid irreplaceable valuables.

• Engage the Senses: Incorporate items that stimulate sight, touch, sound, and smell to evoke stronger memories and provide a richer experience.

• Redirect Behavior, Don't Scold: The rummage box serves as a positive redirect for rummaging and anxious behaviors, offering a sense of purpose instead of frustration.

• Make it an Interaction: Presenting the box as a shared activity by sitting with the person and discussing the items maximizes its therapeutic benefits.

• Vary Items by Theme: Creating multiple, smaller rummage boxes with different themes (e.g., career, family, hobbies) can keep the activity fresh and engaging.

Understanding the Purpose of a Rummage Box

As dementia progresses, individuals may feel disoriented or lose a sense of purpose, leading to repetitive or anxious behaviors like rummaging through drawers, closets, or other personal belongings. A rummage box, sometimes called a memory or activity box, is a therapeutic tool designed to redirect this behavior by providing a safe, designated container for the person to explore. It offers a meaningful and satisfying activity that can reduce anxiety, stimulate memories, and offer a sense of control. Rather than scolding or trying to stop the behavior, offering a rummage box can provide a positive outlet for their energy and curiosity, fostering a sense of engagement and comfort.

Core Principles for Curating Your Rummage Box

Creating a successful rummage box involves personalization and a focus on safety. Follow these principles to ensure the box is both effective and meaningful.

Prioritizing Personalization

The most powerful items will be those that have a personal connection to the individual. These items can trigger memories, emotions, and stories from their past. Involving the person in the selection process, if possible, can make the box even more meaningful.

Ensuring Safety First

Always consider the safety of the items. Avoid anything that is small enough to be a choking hazard, sharp, or heavy. Valuables, irreplaceable heirlooms, and items that could trigger negative memories should also be excluded.

Engaging Multiple Senses

Memories are not just visual; they are connected to all five senses. By including items that appeal to sight, touch, sound, and smell, you create a richer, more immersive experience. For example, a familiar scent can often trigger a flood of memories long after other cognitive abilities have faded.

What do you put in a dementia rummage box? Item Ideas

The items you choose should be tailored to the individual's history and preferences. Here are several categories to consider:

Personal and Hobby-Related Items

• Photos: Labeled copies of family photos from different eras.
• Letters and Cards: Meaningful letters or cards from family and friends.
• Hobby Mementos: Small, safe items related to past hobbies, such as a ball of yarn, a paintbrush, or old gardening gloves.
• Job-related items: Business cards from a former career or simple tools related to their trade.
• Clothing and Accessories: A favorite, soft scarf or a cherished hat.

Multi-Sensory Items

• Tactile Items: Fabric swatches with different textures, a small, furry stuffed animal, or a metal pocket tape measure.
• Aromatic Items: A sachet of dried lavender, a bar of their favorite soap, or a small vial of a familiar perfume or aftershave.
• Auditory Items: A favorite CD, an old tape of a beloved musician, or a small, non-threatening musical instrument like a harmonica.
• Edible Items: Individually wrapped candies or familiar snacks, if safe for the individual.

Historical and Reminiscent Items

• Old Coins or Stamps: Collections that they once enjoyed.
• Newspaper Clippings: Articles about significant events that occurred during their lifetime.
• Postcards and Souvenirs: Simple mementos from memorable trips or places they lived.
• Kitchen Items: A favorite, non-breakable recipe card or a wooden spoon.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating the Box

1. Choose the Container: Select a sturdy, easy-to-access container like a basket, plastic bin, or a shoebox. The lid should be easy for them to open.
2. Gather Items: Collect items based on the individual's personal history, hobbies, and preferences.
3. Personalize and Label: Label photos with names and dates.
4. Involve Family: Ask other family members for ideas or items.
5. Organize for Accessibility: Arrange the items so they are easy to see and handle. You can group items by theme.
6. Create a Guide: Consider adding a small, laminated guide or list explaining each item's significance.

Comparison of Rummage Box Themes

Theme	Example Items	Benefits
Hobby/Past Career	Gardening tools (safe), playing cards, business card holder, thimble	Provides a sense of purpose and routine. Connects to established skills.
Sensory Exploration	Fabrics, potpourri, musical toy, textured items	Calms anxiety and engages senses. Offers grounding stimulation when agitated.
Family & History	Labeled photos, old letters, small vacation souvenirs	Promotes reminiscence and conversational opportunities. Strengthens connection to identity.
Practical Life Skills	Small keys on a keychain, old wallets with fake cards, simple locks	Taps into familiar, automatic actions. Offers a satisfying, purposeful task.

How to Effectively Use a Rummage Box

Introducing and using the rummage box correctly can maximize its benefits. Rather than simply leaving it out, make it a shared experience. Offer the box during times when the person seems agitated or restless. Sit with them and go through the items together, encouraging conversation and storytelling. Ask open-ended questions like, "Tell me about this photo," or "Does this fabric feel nice?" If they are non-verbal, observing their reactions and emotional responses can offer valuable insights. Remember, the goal is not to test their memory but to engage their senses and provide a positive connection to their past. Sometimes, the person may not recognize an item, and that is okay. The physical act of handling objects and the sensory stimulation are what provide the primary benefits.

Conclusion

Knowing what to put in a dementia rummage box is about understanding the individual's needs for comfort, engagement, and purpose. By creating a personalized, multi-sensory collection of safe and meaningful items, you can transform a challenging behavior into a positive, therapeutic activity. This tool helps preserve a sense of identity, reduces anxiety, and creates precious moments of connection for both the person with dementia and their caregivers.

To learn more about therapeutic activities for memory care, visit the Alzheimer's Association website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change the contents of a dementia rummage box?

It is best to refresh the contents of the rummage box every few weeks to keep it interesting. You can rotate items or introduce new ones based on current events, seasons, or recent family gatherings.

What kind of container is best for a rummage box?

Choose a container that is sturdy, portable, and easy to open, such as a basket, a simple wooden box, or a shoebox. You may also want to decorate the outside to make it visually appealing and recognizable to the person with dementia.

Is a dementia rummage box different from a memory box?

While often used interchangeably, a rummage box is primarily for active, hands-on exploration and redirection, while a memory box can be more focused on passive reminiscing through photos and keepsakes. A rummage box is designed to be handled and explored freely.

Should I include items related to negative memories in the box?

To maintain a positive experience, you should focus on including items that evoke happy, pleasant, and familiar memories. Be mindful of excluding items that could potentially trigger sadness, anxiety, or traumatic events from their past.

How do I involve a non-verbal person with a rummage box?

For non-verbal individuals, focus on sensory stimulation. Observe their reactions to different textures, sounds, and smells. Watch for signs of comfort or pleasure, such as a relaxed expression or a smile, to understand what items they enjoy.

What if the person with dementia becomes agitated while using the rummage box?

If the person becomes agitated, gently remove the box and try again later. It's possible an item inside triggered an uncomfortable memory or feeling. Reassess the contents and ensure all items promote a positive and calming experience.

Are there themed dementia rummage box ideas?

Yes, themed boxes are very effective. You could create a "Gardening Box" with gloves and packets of seeds, a "Career Box" with old tools or business cards, or a "Family Box" with labeled photos and letters. The themes can be tailored to the individual's specific interests throughout their life.