Growing up I remember mom dampening clothes to iron. If she didn't get to finish the ironing she would put the dampened clothing in the freezer! Anything to prevent dreaded black spots of mold! As someone said the clothing your mom feels may be cool to the touch so she "feels" dampness. Maybe that's what your mom is thinking?
Welcome to the wonderful world of dementia! Their sensory perceptions are off kilter many times, so your MIL is feeling like fabrics are wet when they aren't. Maybe hold a blow dryer up to the fabrics to 'dry' them out for her, see if that helps the situation; it may, then again, it may not. :(
*Here is a chat thread talking about wet clothing/ people complaining of their parent with dementia saying clothing or towels are 'wet' when they aren't. This can be a perception of COLD equating to WET in the mind of an elder with dementia and perception issues!
Dementia and/or dementia-like behavior is extremely difficult & frustrating to deal with, that's for CERTAIN! If you are going to take care of your MIL in home, you should learn all you can about dementia/Alzheimer's so you'll be prepared for what lies ahead.
I suggest you read this 33 page booklet (a free download) which has THE best information ever about managing dementia and what to expect with an elder who's been diagnosed with it.
Understanding the Dementia Experience, by Jennifer Ghent-Fuller https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210580
Jennifer is a nurse who worked for many years as an educator and counsellor for people with dementia and their families, as well as others in caring roles. She addresses the emotional and grief issues in the contexts in which they arise for families living with dementia.
She also has published a workbook entitled, “It Isn’t Common Sense: Interacting with People Who Have Memory Loss Due to Dementia.” https://www.amazon.com/Isnt-Common-Sense-Interacting-Dementia/dp/1481995995/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2E7WWE9X5UFXR&keywords=jennifer+ghent+fuller+books&qid=1657468655&sprefix=jennifer+ghent%2Caps%2C631&sr=8-4
The 36 Hour Day is another excellent reference type book you can buy that will answer a lot of questions that crop up.
Teepa Snow also has videos on YouTube that are quite helpful, especially if MIL starts arguing about not wanting to take a shower/bathe, which is common with dementia. Teepa is a dementia expert with great and helpful tips for in home caregivers.
Lastly, do consider placement in a Memory Care Assisted Living community if and when MILs care becomes too much for you to handle at home.
Interesting. My mom is always checking the clothes in the dryer and thinking they are still wet where the rest of us are thinking they're fine. Following.....
*Here is a chat thread talking about wet clothing/ people complaining of their parent with dementia saying clothing or towels are 'wet' when they aren't. This can be a perception of COLD equating to WET in the mind of an elder with dementia and perception issues!
https://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/threads/feeling-cold-and-wet.19884/
Dementia and/or dementia-like behavior is extremely difficult & frustrating to deal with, that's for CERTAIN! If you are going to take care of your MIL in home, you should learn all you can about dementia/Alzheimer's so you'll be prepared for what lies ahead.
I suggest you read this 33 page booklet (a free download) which has THE best information ever about managing dementia and what to expect with an elder who's been diagnosed with it.
Understanding the Dementia Experience, by Jennifer Ghent-Fuller
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210580
Jennifer is a nurse who worked for many years as an educator and counsellor for people with dementia and their families, as well as others in caring roles. She addresses the emotional and grief issues in the contexts in which they arise for families living with dementia.
The full copy of her book is available here:
https://www.amazon.com/Thoughtful-Dementia-Care-Understanding-Experience/dp/B09WN439CC/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2E7WWE9X5UFXR&keywords=jennifer+ghent+fuller+books&qid=1657468364&sprefix=jennifer+ghent%2Caps%2C631&sr=8-2
She also has published a workbook entitled, “It Isn’t Common Sense: Interacting with People Who Have Memory Loss Due to Dementia.”
https://www.amazon.com/Isnt-Common-Sense-Interacting-Dementia/dp/1481995995/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2E7WWE9X5UFXR&keywords=jennifer+ghent+fuller+books&qid=1657468655&sprefix=jennifer+ghent%2Caps%2C631&sr=8-4
The 36 Hour Day is another excellent reference type book you can buy that will answer a lot of questions that crop up.
Teepa Snow also has videos on YouTube that are quite helpful, especially if MIL starts arguing about not wanting to take a shower/bathe, which is common with dementia. Teepa is a dementia expert with great and helpful tips for in home caregivers.
Lastly, do consider placement in a Memory Care Assisted Living community if and when MILs care becomes too much for you to handle at home.
Best of luck with a challenging situation.