Four Uncommon Issues Family Caregivers Face When Dementia is Present

When a family member has dementia, it’s challenging. Most people know of symptoms like memory loss, problems with problem-solving, and changes to understanding certain concepts, there are other symptoms that can be alarming. Here are four of the more uncommon issues you may encounter.

Home Care Services in Falls Church VA: Caregiver Dementia Tips

Forgetting Common Habits

Your mom has a cat. She’s always cleaned its litter box and put the used litter in a bag that goes in the outdoor trash bin. You’re in her laundry room and smell cat urine. You’re blaming the cat for going somewhere other than its litter box. When you grab the box of laundry detergent powder, you find it full of used cat litter. Your mom’s been putting it there.

Your mom may suddenly start putting things in odd places. You find her purse in the dog food bag. Her glasses are found in the sugar jar. She’s put her coffee mug behind the cleaners in the garage. She won’t remember why she put things in these places. She just does.

Loss of Impulse Control

When someone has dementia, loss of impulse control is common. Impulse control is the part of you that prevents you from giving in to a craving or controlling what you say. You understand that it’s impolite to go to a stranger and say, “Wow, your shirt makes you look fat.” You control and keep your thought to yourself.

Dementia removes impulse control. Your mom may go to her neighbor and tell her she stinks. Your dad might tell a friend that he’s fat and needs to go on a diet. You may be out shopping and find your mom trying to hug every stranger she encounters.

Lack of Inhibitions

You know that stripping naked in a restaurant is not appropriate. Someone with dementia may forget that. You’re walking through the grocery store and find your dad is behind you trying to toss off clothing one item at a time. You might get a call that your mom is outside weeding her garden and she’s not wearing a thing.

Anger and Rage

Without warning, your parent may suddenly snap and lash out. You get hit. Your dad spits in your face. Your mom bites you and pulls your hair. It’s alarming, but it happens. There are cases of people with dementia pushing family members over or hitting them.

Stop and think about your needs, too. If you’re tired of caring for your parent, you’re likely to not offer the same level of care. Don’t create a strain that irritates you both. Hire a caregiver for respite care and take a break.

You don’t have to go far. Let the caregiver take over while you take a bath or go out to dinner. When you’re done, you’ll return home refreshed and ready to take over. Learn more about respite care by calling a home care agency.

Are you or a loved-one considering Home Care Services in Falls Church, VA?  Please call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. Contact: 703-273-8818

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Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

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