Follow
Share

I am my mothers caregiver, I find bruises on different parts of her body? I notice she runs into things a lot, and sometimes it seems on purpose? Then I have to give her attention. I try everyday to give her the attention she needs but I am so tired and run down with this attention thing? I don't want her to hurt herself badly but how do I get her to stop this?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
You don't mention if your mom is on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication. Assuming she's not, make an appointment with her Dr. and tell the Dr. about your mom's self-injury. It can be a bid for attention or it could be from some kind of mental illness or psychological stress.

There's nothing you can do about it unless you want to follow her around all day which is unrealistic. This is your mom's issue, please don't blame yourself for not giving her enough attention. There's only so much you can do.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Have you talked to your mom's doc about the bruises? Sometimes, bruising easily is a symptom; somehow I doubt that your mom is doing this for attention.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I'm wondering what suggests she runs into things on purpose. Maybe she has balance issues? Does she use a walker, has she had hip fractures, does she have medical issues that affect her bone strength? Is there too much clutter or furniture in the pathways? Does she have vision or hearing problems?

If she's on an anti-coagulant med, that could explain the easy bruises.

Perhaps you can approach what you feel is the need for attention on a different level and in a different way. I do understand you're tired; I think probably everyone here can emphathize with that, and it is hard to be positive about giving attention when you're mentally and physically exhausted.

Try anticipating her need for attention, perhaps starting by giving her some attention first thing in the morning, Perhaps just spend some more time chatting with her. Put on a CD of her favorite music when you leave and give her favorite books or magazines. Try to create something for her to do while you go to work or do your chore work around the house.

Then take a break and spend some more time with her. In other words, create several times daily when the two of you can just put aside everything else and bond with each other. If she does need/want attention, pre-empting the times when you feel she injures herself deliberately may reassure her she's still loved and can get attention without harming herself (if that is what she's doing).

But also tell her that you're exhausted and are trying to find ways to spend quality time together, but that you need down time too.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I have not talked to a doctor about this yet, because I was not sure what to do? She has had some depression issues in the past. Thank you I will get on it.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

How's her eyesight? She may be bumping into things because she's having vision problems. I used to run into the side of doorways and fall over things all the time when I was a child until it was discovered I had very poor vision. Then I got corrective lenses and I could finally see where I was going.
Some medications (and alcohol) can cause people to bruise more easily, as well as some diseases. Is she complaining of dizziness? Her balance might be off because of an inner ear problem.
There are reasons other than intentional self-harm why she might be doing this. You should ask your mom's doctor about it. If she checks out fine physically, she could be doing it out of boredom. Horses chew on the wooden doors to their stalls out of boredom. Boredom can make pet birds pull their feathers out, and captive octopuses have been known to pull off their tentacles because their tanks are too small and they have nothing to do in there.
Good luck.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter