When I ask my mother to quit picking her arms she says she has to get the worms off because she doesn’t want people to see them when we are out. She I need to get my eyes checked. I worry she will get her arms infected because her hygiene is not good when she uses the restroom. I am really at my wits end! What to do?
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/hallucinations
Your mother is obviously experiencing an advanced state of dementia/ALZ and needs help with bathroom hygiene and showering, etc. She definitely WILL get into deep trouble if she's not carefully monitored when using the bathroom, and then washed up properly afterward.
Read up on the subject, watch Teepa Snow videos on YouTube, and contact your mother's doctor for further guidance about what to do next.
Good luck with a difficult situation.
I hope she's not staying alone while you're at work because that is dangerous.
Your mom needs a mental evaluation done in a hospital. If she refuses to leave the house call an ambulance and tell them that she is hurting herself and that you fear for her.
They will take her to the hospital and that will be your starting point to get some help and services for your mom.
You state that she has dementia. If so, she may either be experiencing hallucinations or she may believing that she is accurately reporting g to you what is happening to her.
Either way, she needs to be seen by someone who can assess her mental and physical wellness AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
If she’s refusing to leave the house, contact you municipal board of health and see if she can be seen by a Visiting Nurse.
Does she stay by herself when you’re at work? She may not be safe if no one is with her. Have you considered what you will need to provide for her when her behavior deteriorates farther?
Hope some solutions will be available to you soon!