Has anyone dealt with a parent who has dementia that is taking their BM out of the toilet and putting it into the trash?

I guess I am confused....if you cannot flush where is the BM to go? Just tell her to leave the BM in the toilet, that you have figured a way to make it flush but it is intricate so she cannot do it. See if that works.

I can flush it by removing the toilet tank cover and pulling the flapper chain. We unhinged it to avoid her flushing wads of toilet paper and clogging the toilet again. We flush it for her because she's tried to hinge the flapper to flush the toilet and it was starting to back up again. She has signs to remind her to leave the BM in the toilet but notes do not help anymore. I just have to constantly watch her now when she goes to the bathroom.

I've noticed a lot of similarities between autism and dementia.

Typically, most individuals with autism are "visual thinkers". This is also true of a lot of elders with dementia. In addition, it is common for people with dementia to loose the ability to read - the written word is no longer recognizable or it's lost its meaning or the ability to connect one word to another is lost.

My point? Most children with autism learn best by using pictures. Some can use simple line drawings for pictures and others need actual photos. I know this sounds out there but - try a picture with a poo in the toilet and put a happy face next to it. Put up another picture with a poo in the waste basket and perhaps a red "x" through it and a frowny face. I bet it will work.

Thanks Rainmom. I'll try it.