She holds it in her hands, gets it on everything in the house! Help! She obsesses about saliva, either too much or not enough. So she chews this bluecolered chewing gum. Problem is, she "saves" it in her hands ( fingertips) frequently. Enough so that I am finding it on lightswitches, doorknobs, keyboards, and even on her forehead once! I told het no more gum if she can't keep it in her mouth. She hides it from me and just now I find it on the side of her water glass.... So gross, I am sorry but this is disgusting and I am remodeling the kitchen soon. I don't want gum all over the house. I haven't said a word to het yet about my recent find of blue sticky gum on her water glass, from her fingers..how do I approach this she is very childish.
As for the chewing gum, I agree with Pam above, take it away. Make up any excuse you think your Mom would comprehend. If her mouth is dry from pills, such as blood pressure pills, there are over-the-counter mouth sprays to will keep her mouth moist.
As for the leafs tell her the frogs, birds, squirrels, raccoons like the yellow leafs for their winter nests and for her not to take away their homes... see if she will buy that excuse.
As for the chewing gum, pretend it is contraband and whenever you see a pack in plain view, slip out a couple pieces of gum and bury it in the trash bin. Once the gum is gone, make sure no one brings more into the house... tell whomever is buying it for your Mom that the gum is causing acid reflux. Sometimes we have to fib to keep our parents safe.