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Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Dec 21, 2019 | Replies (12)
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Replies to "Thanks for those suggestions. While I don’t think swallowing and chewing are an issue it’s certainly..."
The challenge with dementia is that irrational reasoning is par for the course most of the time, and trying to make logic out of it can drive you crazy.
Here are a couple more ideas that might help.
- If she won't take the stool softener because it's a liquid, ask the doctor to prescribe one that's a pill.
- On the hair washing, you could try a coloring conditioner and tell her that it's something new that will help "refresh" her color and keep it nice and purple. I used the Keracolor brand color + conditioner which I bought on Ulta.com. Then it would be a positive thing but also get her to wash her hair when you want her to.
- @IndianaScott might have other suggestions on the bathing because I think I recall him posting on this topic in a separate thread.
As for threatening her with a nursing home, I know you don't like to do it but I think it's reasonable as long as it's done kindly. It's not really a threat; the truth is that if she doesn't eat and take her medications, she will eventually end up sick enough that you can't care for her and she will have to go into a nursing home. I would definitely try other enticements first if they work, but they don't always.
Hang in there and hope this improves for you soon. We are here for you.