My mam plays with the shower – is this not dementia in progress?
As I’ve posted before – there is no specific test for Dementia that tackles more than the memory problems. There is perhaps a cognitive test – but nothing more. Doctors don’t have an emotional, self-control exam for patients. What I’d like to confirm is that must we carers then look out for behavioural proof of the deterioration of the patient?
I woke up about 4 am in the morning with the sound of the shower running. I thought it was my mam having a shower. Then as time passed – the shower flow was constant – not what you’d expect when someone is under it. So I got up and looked into the toilet. The door was open and inside – she was there staring into the shower cubicle – lowering and increasing the flow. She was not having a shower. When she realized I was watching – she quickly turned the shower off.
A friend of mine experienced something similar; his dad use to insist on turning all the water taps on in the house. My friend would turn them off – only to find they were on again later. It’s quite funny in a way, but has anyone experienced something similar? I think they are after the white-noise in the water flow. They might be hearing something in the random cascade of droplets.
Regards to all.
Luz did a lot of things that I did not like but I learned to accept that it was not her doing these things but the disease doing it. Yes I would get angry at things she did but I kept telling myself that it was the disease, over and over. Then I would give her a hug and we both felt better.
Everything that she tried to do but would fail at I tried to praise her efforts and then I would fix it. I would get upset on occasion but I tried to keep it low level and give her a hug for her efforts.
This went on for over two years and I loved her every minute of it. Even when she would turn on a faucet for whatever reason and fail to turn it off.
Those are some of the memories that blur my vision these days.
I kept telling myself that it wasn't her but the disease causing this.
I must say I admire the patience and love you've described. It's the Christian persona being demonstrated. I'm not that good at it - I must admit. But I will bear in mind - your example.
She says it calms her and reminds her of being immersed in nature. 🤷🏼♀️
My son has severe autism. I’ve always called Rainman my water baby as he was fixated with water even as a very young toddler.
Rainman is now 26 and through years of redirecting and social behavior cueing his water fixation isn’t as intense. Still - there are many mornings when I’m showering him that he goes there - into his water zone. He holds his arm and hand in a certain way and becomes transfixed with watching the water run off his fingers. I think it’s something with the light - how it shimmers off the water droplets.
The orignal post and OldSailors post both could be describing autism very easily.
To be clear - I’m not suggesting that the individuals they are referring to were/are autistic. But I definitely think their water fixation as a result of dementia MUST share a brain change in wiring - for lack of a scientific term - with how a brain with autism works.
I wish scientists and the medical community would explore any possible connection. I do believe strongly that techniques could be developed- based on strategies for dealing with autism- that better help caregivers deal with the behaviors of their loved ones suffering with dementia.
Later when she quit using the shower she would do the same thing in the step-in tub. Washing the fixtures and the walls. I had to watch her here or she would try to open the door with it still full of water.
Gosh I miss those days.
Thanks for bringing those memories back.
I hope this only posts once.
Was that Dementia then - on poor DW, Luz?
Later when she quit using the shower she would do the same thing in the step-in tub. Washing the fixtures and the walls. I had to watch her here or she would try to open the door with it still full of water.
Gosh I miss those days.
Thanks for bringing those memories back.