My Mother was diagnosed 5 years with Dementia. Over the past year, her personal hygiene has become a serious problem, along with the fact that her house is filthy. She is now doubly incontinent. The local authority provide pads for her, but the problem lies with not washing herself. She lives alone (nothing wrong with me syndrome) and has been drinking heavily for many years now. My younger sister passed away 2 weeks ago, after a cancer diagnosis 6 weeks earlier and needless to say, her drinking has increased further.
Professionals refer to her as a "feisty" lady and one even congratulated her on her choice of alcoholic beverage (whiskey.)!
I work full time, my elder sister lives abroad and Mum refuses any offer of assistance.
I don't even have a key to her house - none of us ever have.
She has horrendous mood swings and I am finding her extremely difficult to deal with. She couldn't find her false teeth yesterday but it's usually her bag, keys, purse etc. During my search for the teeth, I unearthed a soiled nightie behind the couch, obviously adding to the stench in the living room.
I also discovered yesterday that she has maggots in her kitchen. She buys food every day (sometimes several times the same day) and her cupboards have stopped taking in.
I used to collect her when I finished work, to bring her to my house for dinner, but she was so drunk, I stopped. I am finding it more and more difficult to spend time with her and now dread the weekends, when I am expected to be there.
My husband has been extremely tolerant over the years, but also finds her very difficult to deal with.
I would welcome any advice on how to deal with this.
Thank you
Professionals refer to her as a "feisty" lady and one even congratulated her on her choice of alcoholic beverage (whiskey.)!
I work full time, my elder sister lives abroad and Mum refuses any offer of assistance.
I don't even have a key to her house - none of us ever have.
She has horrendous mood swings and I am finding her extremely difficult to deal with. She couldn't find her false teeth yesterday but it's usually her bag, keys, purse etc. During my search for the teeth, I unearthed a soiled nightie behind the couch, obviously adding to the stench in the living room.
I also discovered yesterday that she has maggots in her kitchen. She buys food every day (sometimes several times the same day) and her cupboards have stopped taking in.
I used to collect her when I finished work, to bring her to my house for dinner, but she was so drunk, I stopped. I am finding it more and more difficult to spend time with her and now dread the weekends, when I am expected to be there.
My husband has been extremely tolerant over the years, but also finds her very difficult to deal with.
I would welcome any advice on how to deal with this.
Thank you