PICA

Dementia doesn’t only affect memory.

It is important to remember when you have met a person living with dementia you have only met one person with dementia. We are all unique

However, we need to remember dementia does not only affect memory indeed many people living with dementia state that memory issues is not a prevalent issue with their dementia

As the brain changes, some people can have difficulty recognising what things are, judging what is safe, interpreting sensations or understanding that something isn’t food

There is a condition called pica, which involves persistently eating non-food substances, although not every person with dementia who chews or mouths an object has pica.

Some people may also develop repetitive chewing, sucking or mouthing behaviours.

Whatever the reason, it can become a real safety issue.

Things we barely notice around the house — tissues, creams, cleaning products, pet food, plants, small objects and medication — may need to be looked at very differently if someone has started putting inappropriate things in their mouth.