Chewing clothes

wilf

Registered User
Mar 19, 2014
30
0
Vascular dementia 93 yr old Mum constantly chewing collar of clothes which are thread baring and causing danger of going into mouth and choking. Any suggestions to prevent would be appreciated. She has no dental issues causing discomfort. Have tried childs dummies, soft clean flannels, hand towels etc but throws away and goes back to collar. Thank you.
 

SisterAct

Registered User
Jul 5, 2011
2,255
0
71
Liverpool, Merseyside
Perhaps she is having trouble with her teeth/gums have you tried a teething ring. She is obviously getting some pleasure or relief from chewing the collars.
Our Dad used to eat tissues
Luv
Pol xx
 

Kevinl

Registered User
Aug 24, 2013
6,050
0
Salford
Once my wife is hungry or in "eating mode" if I don't feed her quick enough the apron she wears or her hands go into her mouth, rest of the time she's fine.
When hungry she does this thing that I've come to think of as "eating the invisible biscuit" she puts her index finger, forefinger and thumb to her mouth as if she's eating something and just puts the tips of her fingers in her mouth. I've never seen anyone else do it. Her other curious habit it holding a biscuit in her thumb and forefinger and tapping it with her index finger, like you do to get the ash of the end of a cigarette even though she hasn't smoked in 3 years or more. No 2 people are the same.
K
 

Willow Tree

Registered User
Jul 6, 2016
67
0
USA
Vascular dementia 93 yr old Mum constantly chewing collar of clothes which are thread baring and causing danger of going into mouth and choking. Any suggestions to prevent would be appreciated. She has no dental issues causing discomfort. Have tried childs dummies, soft clean flannels, hand towels etc but throws away and goes back to collar. Thank you.

I don't know if it would help, but have you thought about a "mock tee" ("turtlenecK")? They make them in soft fleece (brand I'm familiar with: National UltraSoft). Just not sure, as some people DO NOT like to put on shirts that have to go over the head to get on or off.

Perhaps try giving her a damp washcloth as a substitute "chew." So sorry I don't have other suggestions; haven't dealt with this one yet (hubby chews tobacco, LOL).
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
0
South coast
I wonder if its because the collars touch her face? It reminds me a bit of the rooting reflex that you see in babies. Have you tried collarless clothes?
 

Mal2

Registered User
Oct 14, 2014
2,968
0
Enfield
Vascular dementia 93 yr old Mum constantly chewing collar of clothes which are thread baring and causing danger of going into mouth and choking. Any suggestions to prevent would be appreciated. She has no dental issues causing discomfort. Have tried childs dummies, soft clean flannels, hand towels etc but throws away and goes back to collar. Thank you.

My husband sucks on anything available, at anytime. Don't think that he is hungry, someone suggested to me that maybe it was comforting. I have no idea why he does it.

I often find him, happily, sucking away on the bed sheet. Even during the day, when I have just draped it over him, to keep the chill off, The trouble then, is, that a lump of the sheet is soaking wet, and, so is his shirt where the sheet was resting against. I usually pop a grape into his mouth or give him a banana, on and off during the day. He will chew on a grape for hours, the same with a small piece of meat from dinner, he can still be chewing it at 9o/c. I take it out before settling him for the night, in case of choking.



I thought I would get a pacifier with a large plastic front, so he wouldn't swallow it.
 

Katrine

Registered User
Jan 20, 2011
2,837
0
England
I wonder if its because the collars touch her face? It reminds me a bit of the rooting reflex that you see in babies. Have you tried collarless clothes?
I think this is absolutely spot on, canary. It is the rooting reflex IMO.
 

wilf

Registered User
Mar 19, 2014
30
0
Thank you all for your comments. Have solved the problem by putting soft fleece like hand towels under Mums chin and tied at back of her neck with a clothes peg. Mum still chewing a bit but now much safer as no buttuns or frayed material and the feel on myms chin and neck seems to comfort her. Thanks again.
 

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