Should I be concerned about someone with dementia living in my home?

Let me start with this,... If you are afraid something will happen, then go with your gut instinct. If Gma is mean now, its not going to get better. I know shes your elder and weve always been taught to be respectful, but you may have to let her know her behavior is not ok. Is there anyone else that can help ? a social worker to evaluate ? a family memebr that can observe if this is normal for Gma ? Has she had a physical to rule out a urinary tract infection? does she dose her own meds ?
Dementia is a wicked thing. You look at them and think " oh this is Mom, or Granny, and I love her soo much", then they start saying the nastiest, inappropriate things, like theyve become posessed, or regress and start callin you Mom and acting childlike.
I used to say my Mom was like a child with a shotgun. Looks innocent, frail and weak, until she became anxious or mad, then all hell broke loose. Unfortunately she heard me say that phrase once, and started telling anyone who would listen that I was afraid shed shoot my kids.. Well come to find out , she did have not on but 3 guns in my home.. there honestly were some days I was afraid for mine and my kids safety.... BTW,,, moms in a nursing home now, she hates it, hates me, but shes safe.... good luck to you

I always remember the old rescue swimmer advice I got during lifesaving: if the victim drowns you, no one gets saved. If it's already crossing your mind that this is getting out of hand, start looking for a new place for her to live. You will still be taking good care of her: you just won't be jeopardizing yourself or your home and loved ones (no matter how many feet they have) to do it. OR find someone who can be with her everyday. But know that, even then, having the person in your house means you will not have the level of peace and relaxation you are used to and need from time to time.

We can all want the best for the people we love. But sometimes life's circumstances change what the "best" looks like. It's easy to see that you don't give the car keys to a 13 year old, or let your child eat only candy. It's harder to see when the person you care for has been independent and now can't be. And the person being cared for may hate the decision. But so does the 13 year would-be driver, and we live with that -- because we know what's best. It sounds like you know what's best, even if grandma would disagree.

It's great that you are seeking advice. Good luck!

I do hope you can take the advice of the above posts. If it comes to a nursing home; that is not the worst thing in the world even though many think it is. It is good you are thinking ahead before things get out of hand. Just keep in mind that they are safe in a facility and there is a lot of interaction with people. Nursing homes these days are far superior than the past and the majority of jobs is in these facilities now as there are so many facilities to accommodate all the elderly as the numbers increase..

It is not worth living in fear; as shortmama said "trust your instincts" - what I've learned is they are never happy no matter where they are - just do the best you can. That is really all any of us can do. They often don't like the NH home, well we don't like being abused on a daily basis - it is unhealthy for all concerned. Take care.

I think that it is important to look at things realistically. When I first started writing and reading the advice of others, I so desperately wanted my mom with me but in a few short months her dementia has helped to see that she is in the best place and though I am still concerned about her future. I feel better knowing that she really can't hurt me. Although she tries being states away!!!! She has managed to turn my family against me and anyone else who will listen to her. She has made nasty remarks to me via phone, to my daughter about me, she has hurt me in so many ways. Just think what she would do if she was with me and the dementia said on any given day that she didn't want to be with me. I think I was struggling with letting go of my MOTHER, but I have realized that this woman is not my MOTHER, the disease has taken over and some where in there is my MOTHER, My MOM, whom was my best friend. I still love her but its different. Best wishes to you.

What courage you have asking the question! Aging is hard enough without adding dementia. I suggest that you start looking online at as many of the dementia related web sites as you can find and jot down some notes on the behaviors listed. Then, sit down with the people already living in your home, or by yourself and decide if you want this in your home for the next few years. I found on my journey with my mother's Alzheimer's and dementia that people rarely tell you the truth from the medical community and Alzheimer's/Dementia support groups. The behaviors get worse not better. I can give you a list of ways to distract the behaviors, diminish and control the behaviors and live with the behaviors, but you have to decide first if you really want to take this journey. It would be a gift of love for the person your grandmother was taking care of the person she has now become. It would not be easy. Do you want your grandmother to be the main/only focus in your life for the next few years? Let us know what you decide and understand that the members in this group have been or are in your shoes and we are here to support you.

My Dad is 91 and is a stage 6 with vascular dementia. He has no short term memory and has recently lost most of his long term memory. Most days he thinks I am his wife or somedays he doesn't know who I am at all. We have good days and bad. I have a Yorkie who he calls a cat and tries to hit with his cane. He can be nice, but can also be very nasty. I have had him for 2 years. I do have someone who cares for him during the day. My weekends and me time are gone, but I know I am doing the right thing. Baby proof your house, it is basically like having small kids again. Lock it up put it away. She if she can get into an adult day care at least it will give you some free time for you and the pets...Good luck

I work for a NH and help with the admissions into the facility. If Gandma is being abusive now start really thinking of a placement as I can tell you that if a person with dementia has bad behaviors you will have a hard time placing her down the road. Once a facility has the person in house and the behavior progress, we deal with it but it is very unlikely to take someone who has behaviors. (like almost never) as we must keep our other residents safe. In todays world, most NH cannot afford one on one sitters for those who have trouble fitting in. Just think about it. You might want to visit a few NH that have a memory unit or dementia unit. Good Luck to you.

You should be concerned especially because she is abusing you and your pets.
Has she had a diagnosis of dementia and where was she before she came back to your home? The paranoia may be caused by something else. The Alzheimers Assn has been excellent with providing help (you can call 24hrs a day, and so has this site and members. She should also have a thorough exam by a qualified doctor to rule out other issues. My Mother took care of my Dad as he was getting worse, not bathing, not knowing the the bathroom was and not remebering people or things. He had a 3 day a week home health aid , several different ones, and they could not get him to bathe. My Mom did her best to take care of him and still cook and take care of the house, but at 90 years old and almost blind, it was making her a nervous wreck. The kids would periodically ask her if she was ready to let him go and she wasn't for a long time as he was her husband and felt she was the one that should take care of him. Then, she finally decided it was time to place him, the kids all agreed, and we all drove him there and helped him put away his belongings. I miss him so much and cry everytime I go to see him, but I truly believe he is where he belongs. My brother and sister hardly ever go because it is hard for them and they want to remember him the way he used to be. I go about every 10 days and take my Mom. I want to spend as much time with him now as I can.
Make sure you lock all meds, matches, dangerous items, all doors, and remove any scatter rugs.. I sincerely hope that God gives you the grace to deal with this sad situation.
I think you will reach a point when you know when it is time for your loved one.

Wow! Thanks for the all the information guys! My grandmother had a stroke and is back from rehab. We're having PT,OT,etc. at the house. Today was a shower. I was hard for me to see that she was so upset. Strange too that a shower that was nothing before is anxiety-inducing now. She loves those awful dogs of hers so I'm going to see if we can make a go of her staying home. She's lived with me for three years. She was miserable at the SNF because of the food, alarms going off, frequent staff rotation was confusing, and others hanging in the hallway in their wheelchairs was really getting her down. If it were me, I'd want to be with my pets and in my own environment for as long as I could. I'm going to read everything, hang out on this site, hope for the best. Thank you all so much.

Is your grandma on medication for the dementia plus possibly antidepressants as well? In 2009 I moved to CA. to care for my 85 year old father who had early onset dementia. He was the MEANEST, most critical & unthankful man you have ever met. Refused any medications for antidepressants (his wife had passed away several mths before I got there) as well as the dementia meds. We moved him here to Irving, TX into a nursing home. Long story short about 4 months after being there (and he was put on the medications he needed to be on) he is now the sweetest man I know. Get Grandma to a doctor to be diagnosed! Good luck.