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How do I get my 93-year-old mother with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's to stop taking off her clothes and diapers in bed?

Asked by  |  Dec 5, 2009

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Carol Bradley Bursack, Dec 6, 2009

Over the span of two decades author, columnist and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. Because of this experience, Bradley Bursack created a portable support group, the book "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories."

 

You may want to try different diapers to "fool" the brain action. She could have trouble figuring out how to take them off (for awhile).

I'd ask her doctor is this could be due to anxiety. Maybe the doctor will have some suggestions.

This isn't uncommon, but it's frustrating, I know.
Carol

 
 

deefer12

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Dec 10, 2009

My mom has Parkinsons and dementia. She is constantly fussing with her clothes. It drives me crazy!! She is OCD and I read that anxiety meds can make this worse. It can't get much worse! She was up fussing with her bed for 3 straight hours the other night. Everything was the same as always, but she felt compelled to walk around that bed and play with the blanket and bed pads until she was ready to drop! nothing I said or did worked, so I finally called my brother to come and calm her down. I had 3 hours sleep the night before, so I couldn't cope anymore. She finally exhausted herself and went to sleep, but the next morning I could tell she had gotten up 1 more time during the night.
I very often find her soaking wet, in bed with the diaper and pants off and the bed pads removed. I do her pj's and bedclothes at least 4 times a week. Even her blanket is drenched. I don't see any solution, so I just keep plugging. That is all any of us can do. We signed on for as long as we can keep them home, and have to find ways to deal with the day to day. As always, it's good to know I am not alone. Take care everyone!

 
 

Spiritcat

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Dec 9, 2009

I'd think of creative ways to make taking off clothes harder. Velcro? Baby diaper safety pins (not easy to find these days)? Ties that fasten in the back? suspenders crossed in back? Buttons she might have trouble with? Cotton socks on her hands?

Keeping the house cool.

But of course, the main ? is what is triggering this take-off. Is her skin dry and uncomfortable so that clothes are irritating? Do her diapers stay wet too long and get cold? Some detective work might help.

 
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