My 89 year old father won't stop picking his nose even though we have begged him to stop. My 83 year old mother is his primary caretaker and it is very hard on her. Her health is not good and she can't handle anymore emergencies. He has been rushed to the ER several times when the bleeding couldn't be controlled. He has congestive heart failure and is receiving palliative care. He takes Plavix so when he bleeds it can be very dangerous. I have looked him in the eyes and have plead with him to stop to only have him do it immediately afterwards. His care has been very difficult without this issue. It sounds cruel, but we have even threatened him with being placed in a facility to no avail. It's coming close to fruition because my mother can't handle much more. My siblings and I have talked to him till we are blue in the face but he won't stop. Needless to say, it's a constant worry because we can't follow him everywhere he goes. He is homebound. He has to use a walker so he is relatively mobile but it is an effort for him to do everyday things. He usually does it in private, i.e., when he is the bathroom or at night when my mother is sleeping (and she hasn't been able to get much sleep because she has to constantly check on him.). We have tried repeatedly to explain the consequences of his actions, but it just doesn't sink in. He will say, "I guess I'm just stupid." It's heartbreaking, frustrating and scary. And unfortunately, the medical people don't seem to be much help. Go figure. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I am very worried about how much more my mother can handle and I can't stand the thought of him being placed in a nursing home because my mother can no longer take of him at home anymore,
Blessings to you
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