mom(95+) living in AL, thinks people are coming in her room and stealing stuff. she hides everything and then I have to spend hrs looking for the important stuff. she has lost 5 hearing aids in the last 5 months. Just replaced 2 3 days ago, and now they are missing. I even attached a chain between them, so they would be larger to find and harder to lose. Her dimentia is getting noticably worse. Had the dr put her on anti-anxiety meds a few weeks ago. hoping to alay her fears of someone coming in her room. then she apparently was staying up at nite and hiding everything. she accumulates lots of stuff and I need to get rid of most of it. I think maybe all the clutter is over whelming for her and she does not know where to begin. My SIL(her mom has dimentia also) and she feels I need to remove lots of stuff while she is maybe away at my brothers. I thought I could try with her there and us going thru stuff and me taking stuff to "store" at my house! any ideas here?
He usually doesnt do with with anything else for now.
*Not the Urban Dictionary definition.... LOL
Do not dust regularly. Dust is your friend. It often provides clues to movement of articles.If she has dusted ask yourself why.If she hasn't there may still be prints of when she/he stashed the goody.
A daily search of known areas of concealment.If mom went to bathroom I did a search,if I came in to chat with her, my eyes scanned the area as I took mental notes of items moved; half opened drawers or closet door.
Rearrangement of items in drawers.
Socks, folded undergarments and bras are often a chosen area to conceal everything from hearing aids to candy.
This is often done at night while you sleep or after you pass out.
Throw nothing away without a search.Tissues or napkins in garbage (often contain dentures)
Never overlook searching under cushions,inside pillow shams and pockets (especially those of hanging garments).
All of these suggestions can be accomplished without detection! One has to be observant,stealthy and have perfected a slight of hand that allows detraction while searching right before the eyes of your audience!
Personally, all joking aside, I found all drugs increased or instigated her paranoia, anxiety, BM, stomach trouble etc.
I might suggest working on your one liners or comedy routine.Nothing assuages fear and anger like a good laugh.Sometimes I wear funny hats or my hubby's shoes to serve meals etc. Mom laughs and we're all happy.
Yes, I would go through her belongings and get rid of stuff. We did with our mom, she got upset with us for doing it too but she had items in her dresser she did not need. Do it while she is at your brothers or have a caregiver take her for a walk so you can come in and do it then.
Even after you do it, she will continue to hide things. My mom had so much stuff she hid in the master bedroom at her house, she was always losing things but I let her look for it herself and she always found it within a day or two. If your mom is a natural organizer like my mom, she will always be rearranging and organizing her space.