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feelingweary60 Asked March 2014

Mom's hiding bizarre and grotesque things in her room in empty med bottles and I am freaky out. Any advice?

When I asked her why she is saving her nail clippings and sputum in different bottles, she replied Oh we'll go ahead and throw them out if you want. One day I thought I saw her even playing with them or examining them. This is really weird. So I threw out everything and sanitized her room. I know that she has never displayed this behavior before except that her hygiene habits are getting really bad lately. I accommodate her bathroom with wet wipes, germ x and rubbing alcohol but she will refuse to use them until I go in with her and scrub her down. I am afraid she will get my husband and I sick from her getting into the fridge and food without washing her hands. BTW she also has MRSA, which makes my husband cringe every time she gets into the pantry.
She knows from being a retired RN for 40 yrs that she must practice good hygiene, but now this saving dirty used tissues, used q-tips, anything that comes off or out of her body is scaring me.

vegaslady Mar 2014
Put a lock on the fridge. The MRSA is scary. Isn't she on IV antibiotics to clear it up? It's pretty transmissible. Good medical/neuropsych eval is in order and possible placement.

anonymous179890 Mar 2014
The MRSA is the scary part. My mother has it and the NH staff wear gloves whenever they deal with her.

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Eyerishlass Mar 2014
I wouldn't ask if you could throw that stuff out I would just throw it out. Keep gloves handy and don't touch the bottles.

And I agree, get her evaluated for dementia.

RebeccaLynn Mar 2014
Well .. my mother hasn't gotten that creative but if she were to think of it, she would be doing the same because she never wants to throw anything out. She also, for some weird reason, enjoys telling me about sticking her finger in her butt because she's always saying she's impacted, which she's not. Gave her disposable gloves to use if she insists on her nasty habit, but she doesn't use them. I think it may be part of the childish behaviour they start displaying. At least your mom said you could throw those things out. Maybe try to find a hobby where she can sort things into containers? Maybe it would appease her. Just a thought. :)

pamstegma Mar 2014
Time for a neuro-psych exam and find a nice Nursing Home.

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