Hi everyone.
Up until recently, my Mum lived in Scotland, and in January I moved her to be near me in Sussex, so I could keep an eye on her more easily - it was clear to me and my brothers that she was not managing on her own.
One of the main problems we have to contend with is her toilet habits. Whenever we need to go anywhere, she declares she will "just spend a penny", then spends 40 mins in the toilet. What with her dementia, it becomes a real trouble because she will come out of the toilet, go and put her shoes on, then declare "I'll just nip to the loo" and it all starts again. Factor in combing hair, looking for a tissue, finding her bag/keys ... and these getting ready rituals can extend to hours. Not good when there is a doctor's appointment to get to!!!
She seems to have a fixation on wiping herself over and over again while in there. Also, she stuffs her pants with paper - toilet paper, tissues, kitchen roll - and, when that runs out (because it does, rapidly) she resorts to hankies, face flannels, even napkins.
Has anyone else seen this in a loved one, and does anyone have any idea as to how to tackle it?
I spoke to an Admiral nurse, who suggested that as it isn't causing Mum any ill health maybe we should just accept it - but this habit runs to night-time as well, and frequently Mum will sleep in her armchair, fitting in toilet visits all night, rather than actually go to bed. Also, her whole flat gets very dusty because of the fibres that come from the toilet paper. Also, it is affecting her quality of life, because she spends huge portions of the day just wiping, wiping, wiping or stuffing :-(
This is a habit that has been around for years, and just gets worse and worse.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Up until recently, my Mum lived in Scotland, and in January I moved her to be near me in Sussex, so I could keep an eye on her more easily - it was clear to me and my brothers that she was not managing on her own.
One of the main problems we have to contend with is her toilet habits. Whenever we need to go anywhere, she declares she will "just spend a penny", then spends 40 mins in the toilet. What with her dementia, it becomes a real trouble because she will come out of the toilet, go and put her shoes on, then declare "I'll just nip to the loo" and it all starts again. Factor in combing hair, looking for a tissue, finding her bag/keys ... and these getting ready rituals can extend to hours. Not good when there is a doctor's appointment to get to!!!
She seems to have a fixation on wiping herself over and over again while in there. Also, she stuffs her pants with paper - toilet paper, tissues, kitchen roll - and, when that runs out (because it does, rapidly) she resorts to hankies, face flannels, even napkins.
Has anyone else seen this in a loved one, and does anyone have any idea as to how to tackle it?
I spoke to an Admiral nurse, who suggested that as it isn't causing Mum any ill health maybe we should just accept it - but this habit runs to night-time as well, and frequently Mum will sleep in her armchair, fitting in toilet visits all night, rather than actually go to bed. Also, her whole flat gets very dusty because of the fibres that come from the toilet paper. Also, it is affecting her quality of life, because she spends huge portions of the day just wiping, wiping, wiping or stuffing :-(
This is a habit that has been around for years, and just gets worse and worse.
Thanks in advance for any help!