There is a little free bistro onthe premises where she can grab things like a carton of yogurt, jello, or pudding, a fruit cup or a small salad. Last week she had 15 salads, 12 expired pudding cups, and 100, yes, 100 cartons of yogurt—all of which expire on January 25th. I asked her why, and she said it’s in case they stop feeding her or she wants a snack. I showed her the expiration date and said there was no way she could eat them all by the 25th. She said she doesn’t believe in expiration dates. I know they are usually “Best Buy” dates, but dairy products definitely expire. She has no taste buds left, so she won’t notice. Suggestions before she kills herself with food poisoning?
Also would like to suggest that you use this as a way to get mom assessed for her level of care capabilities. At 95 she is not going to get better in her being competent or cognitive. If she’s best off in a MC or a SNF, placing her into one asap as sooner than later is best as it allows her to adjust to the rhythm of how they run. If that’s what she gets assessed at, the AL may have a related facility their residents most often move to and the AL works with you in transitioning. Like they keep an eye out on her putting foodstuffs in her pockets or her walker and deflect her from doing this.
FWIW, btw my mom and mil we dealt with 8 different facilities, from IL to SNF. So often you’d see families pushing off placement into a SNF / NH; and when elder finally FINALLY went into a NH they were not competent enough to go over for mealtimes, to participate in activities, to understand the call button, etc. These residents never adjusted to the rhythm and stayed slumped over in bed or in a wheelchair. Terribly sad and often avoidable.
If her being in AL is bc there isn’t the $ to private pay for a NH (as AL is so much le$$), you might as well gird up and start dealing for that eventuality and what glitches maybe there for her to be able for LTC Medicaid eligibility. Get started on all this now while she’s still somewhat active and seemingly competent and NOT in a panic & under a 30 Day Notice (to move).
AL do not have the requirements to ensure a continuation of care aka a “like 2 like” placement of a resident like a SNF / NH does. They can do a 30 Day Eviction Notice.
We tried everything to make her understand, she just didn't get it, she was always the kind to clean out a table of condiments from restaurants, drove us batty!
Finally, we placed her in MC, that basically ended her hobby, no refrigerator.
If Mom is hoarding things in her room that need to be refrigerated and she’s leaving it out in her room or in drawers etc , unrefrigerated , that’s a bigger problem , that the facility would need to be aware of .
If this is the case Mom may need to go to memory care .
See if your Mom can talk about that time frame. Maybe that will explain why she hoards the snacks.