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Originally Posted by sugarwood
If it's not to tough to do, can you give some examples of how folks with Alz. lose the ability to take care of self?
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They don't remember if they've eaten, taken their drugs, where the bathroom is (let alone not recognizing when they need to use it, or even how to use it). Name about anything a fully functioning person does on a daily basis and dementia victims eventually can't do it.
I remember sitting with my father while eating lunch. He was playing with his mashed potatoes like a 6 month old baby. He didn't seem to recognize the food.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sugarwood
What are some things that happen during a bad day ?
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My dad would get in the car and start driving and get lost. We would find out when the police catch him speeding or driving erratically and call us. Sometimes it takes them all day to find out who he is and who to call.
Mom started hiding his keys, but he always managed to get a hold of keys. I started unhooking the battery, but he figured that out pretty fast. I finally put a completely shot battery in the car. He put a charger on it, but it wouldn't take a charge. That finally put an end to his roaming in the car, so he started leaving on foot.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sugarwood
What are examples of being beyond the caregiver's ability?
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They have to be watched 24/7. Even in a care facility with locked doors my dad managed to escape twice. Once he was hit by a car and ended up in the ICU.
In the mid-stages of his decline my dad was forgetful, but not stupid. He could figure out how to jump start a car or escape from a locked building.