She has dementia with paranoia and believes that staff members steal from her all the time. She lives in a very nice assisted care facility and all meals are provided. At every meal, there are a number of menu options to choose from. Yet, she constantly asks me to bring her groceries which she never eats. Is that part of the dementia?
My mom with dementia had a small fridge/ freezer . She insisted on having TV dinners in the freezer ( just in case she didn’t like the meal ) She never ate them the whole time she was in assisted living. She just felt better that they were in the freezer . 🙄
I'd nix bringing your mom groceries but individually wrapped snack bag items always work out well (Unless the thieving caregivers are on the prowl 🙄) Distract her off the topics that cause angst, and thats all you can really do. I hate dementia with every ounce of my being and all the joy it strips from our lives.
Best of luck making the best of a bad situation
It is difficult to get out of the habit of buying groceries.
Next time she asks you to shop tell her...
I don't have time to do a lot of shopping today I will pick up your favorite cookies. (or tea, coffee..whatever it happens to be)
You can also tell her that you have been informed by management that they do not want residents keeping a lot of food in the apartment as it attracts ants and other "critters"
Just keep redirecting, deflecting but when you do validate that you know she wants these items but you can not get them at this time.