Mom is almost 86 and has dementia. A month ago she had a seizure but scans showed no further damage. Since then she keeps her eyes shut all the time now, and prefers to blow her nose on her sleeves vs using a tissue, especially when she thinks no one is watching. Is this a normal progression of the dementia? She gets mad at me when I catch her and ask her to please use the tissue in front of her. Her hygiene and not wanting to shower went out the window a long time ago and I'm learning to understand that whole process, but this newest thing of blowing her nose on her clothing is perplexing me.
I appreciate it's impossible not to think they're sometimes in it for the sheer merry mischief of the thing, but... I've never found that explanation satisfactory.
Though I'm not sure anyone would attempt to be too exact about the details of what is "normal" for dementia :(
Just as a thought - is it possible for you or a passing nurse or doctor to have a good look up her nose and check there's nothing bothering her? Is it just one side she seems to be clearing or fussing with, or is it just standard routine nose blowing such as she has always done in the ordinary way (i.e. using a hanky) up until now?