This has become her daily routine. She has no concept of time and thinks the food has been in the fridge for 10 days when in reality not even 48 hours. There is no talking to her and she also doesn't wash her hands anymore. Notes don't help. Pleading with her is a waste of time. I am at my wits end. On a positive note I did take the car away and we have an appointment with the neurologist on Thursday. Hope we can get her there as she refuses to get any medical help and will not take any meds. Dad is in denial and believes she will get better no matter how much I tell him it's only going to get worse. It breaks my heart. She is killing both of us...
It's not easy to deal with the things that they get in their heads. What they think and imagine can become absolute fact to them. If you try to change their mind, you are wrong. I've lived with this reality for 7 years now and don't even try to reason anymore. I just work around things the best way I can.
For canned goods, either buy smaller cans or immediately put the remainder after opening a can in a freezer container, mark it and freeze it. (I get the impression she's only going through the refrigerator portion, nor the freezer.)
Buy milk or juices in smaller containers, if possible.
For cooked food, do the same things. If you can minimize the amount of food in the frig, you minimize the loss. So focus on decreasing the amount of food available to be discarded.
It sounds like your father is still alive but in denial. If you can get help for your Mom, maybe you can bring him with you and he will listen to the doctor. Either he learns to monitor her, or she will need someone to do it.
Thanks to everyone for your input. I feel better knowing we are not alone in this hell. Will post after we see the neurologist on Thursday.
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