[widgeon13]

I have gone through it w/ my mother and now the early stages w/ my MIL, it's never easy or pretty. You have to determine if she is in any danger of injuring herself in this situation. If she is living alone, perhaps she can continue for a while with some assistance. My mother was having memory problems, not eating properly but she always denied it. She would go out looking for my father who has been dead for 19 years and had a serious problem with falls in the house. She finally broke her hip and had to go in the hospital, then rehab and from there to assisted living (skilled nursing) dementia unit.

It was very stressful for my older sister who was the major caregiver as she lived close by. It's very difficult to deal with and let me say I had numerous discussions / arguments with my mother before we made the decision to get her in skilled nursing. As much as it was against her will, it was the best thing for her health and care. She is now 97 YO, is doing much better as she is also on a medication that helps to mellow her personality.

It was and is a very stressful situation but she is better in the place she is presently and we are not constantly concerned for her wellbeing. Each situation is unique. I would recommend if there is someone who can come into the house to give an evaluation.

We also went through the process of taking her car away a number of years ago, actually we didn't take the car, just the keys so she couldn't drive. She was very offended that we thought we knew was was best for her.

I would be happy to try and address any specific questions that you might have based on my personal experience.

It is the most difficult situations that I have had to deal with and I will leave it at that, far from being a laughing matter.