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He did this yesterday at a friends house. He is 74 and is very amiable. Was diagnosed 4 years ago. He is in daycare 3 days a week and I am afraid he will start this behaviour there. Our shed roof is outside the bathroom window and I noticed it was covered in small balls of Used toilet paper. At my friend's house she found two dirty pieces of toilet paper under the toilet window in her trees. What can I do to alter this behaviour. This is the first time he has done it apart from home, as far as I am aware.

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We have discovered that this is what my Mum has been doing over the past two weeks - throwing soiled toilet paper out the bathroom window, and out of a window in the bedroom next to the bathroom. This was a shock to us, although she has no knowledge of doing this, and realise this is another step forward in the progression of the disease. Sad times! We have now locked the windows.
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Tommy, I am so sorry you are experiencing this. Having a spouse with dementia is heartbreaking, isn't it?

If he has periods of greater comprehension you might try explaining the proper use of toilet paper to him then. You might even find out why he is doing this, which could help with a solution -- but I wouldn't count on that. After you've explained this, perhaps a few times, lock the bathroom window and put up a sign "Toilet Paper Goes in the Toilet" to help him remember. Sometimes a simple phrase repeated often can help in the "retraining" process. (The mantra in our house was about hearing aids and it was "In the ears or in the box!") If this isn't enough, at home you can nail the window shut.

Do ask at the day program whether he has any disruptive behaviors. Generally those bathrooms don't have windows, but there may be some other variation on this issue. If necessary they can have someone accompany him to the bathroom.

When you are visiting friends, accompany your husband to the bathroom on each trip, so you can personally and gently remind him that "Toilet paper goes in the toilet."

Going out I would (and did) try as much as possible to find a unisex or family restroom and accompany him. For places that did not have this option but had a single stall arrangement I went in with my husband either in the men's or women's. For multiple stall arrangements, I took him into the women's room, since each stall has a door. I'd stick my head in and announce "bringing in my handicapped husband." I never had a problem.

This is annoying and unacceptable behavior, of course. It may be the first of many or it may be an isolated quirk. I hope you can deal with it gently and without hurting his dignity, but also in a way that is respectful of other people.

Thinking about the odd things my husband did over the ten years of his dementia journey, I can't think of any that lasted the duration. Usually they lasted at most a few months. None of them seemed to be an indicator that worse things were on the way. You just have to be very observant and treat each behavior as it arises. And do let his doctor know what is going on.

Hugs to you, Tommy. Your husband is lucky to have someone searching for how best to handle his disease.
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tommy5, you are the only other person I've heard that has this problem. My mother doesn't throw toilet paper out the bathroom window, fortunately, but she throws garbage out the window. What worked for mine was putting a garbage can that was easy to reach. Maybe if you put one of the covered garbage cans in front of the window, he will use that instead. He may be willing to use one that has the door-like openings that he can use very easily.
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Tell him flat out this is unacceptable and nail the window shut. You can no longer take him out in public, unfortunately. He may throw poop at bystanders, he may try to get out of the car. I'm willing to bet that if you check with daycare, they have been wondering who's been doing this at their facility. You might ask them what they observed in his behavior with food and other clients. This is advancing dementia/Alzheimer's and you will see more and more bizarre habits, which should be discussed with the MD.
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