It is not uncommon although not all those with dementia behave this way. What exactly do you mean by inappropriate touching? Obviously anything that veers off into the realm of sexual assault need to be stopped, but hugging, touching and hand holding is mostly tolerated unless it leads to confrontations.
Regardless of nationality, people who strive to emulate Christ may have some self-examination to do if they are offended by an affectionate greeting. I hope the pastor gently encouraged the recipient of the kiss to do some personal development of her own. As for the kisser, some folks are just very generous with hugs and kisses. Mighty Christian of them, I'd say.
Yes, yes, yes. Dementia in a lot of brains activates the sexual desire buttons (laymen's terms) and people will want to engage in a natural activity. What makes you think touching and hugging are bad? Granted, when the party receiving it might not like it, but it is usually harmless, and remember, dementia patients are not responsible for their actions.
Pretty common. In many communities, the staff would try to redirect the behavior if the resident on the receiving end is uncomfortable with it and they'd try to encourage friendships where both parties are OK with it. I know a couple of ladies who lie in bed side by side for at least an hour a day, reading magazines and chatting like teenagers, and other residents who greet with a hug, even if you see them a dozen times a day. It's actually quite pleasant if you let down your own guard a bit : ) As Ferris mentioned, touching and hugging are good things, it's only the frequency and lack of filtering that can make them troubling in people with dementia. Of course, if the touching is inappropriate or aggressive, that's another story and another set of tactics to handle it.
The first response is to tell them NO very firmly. A care plan might say "eyes on at all times". Medication for OCD can be prescribed. In the worst cases the patient is sent to a psychiatric care facility, but that is a last resort.
Just had this with Mom. A man from her AL was also in rehab the same time she was. This man is a local in our town and is known to be "a dirty old man". Mom didn't like him before her Dementia and still doesn't like him. I requested in rehab that he not be allowed near her. I was told he has rights to go where he wants within the facility. Explained that I understood that so...move Mom if he gets close. He had taken a liking to her in AL. Felt he was her caretaker. I mean, this man is sleezy. The aides at rehab and the AL agree. Problem, u tell one shift but they don't tell the next shift. This man was being seen caressing a woman's cheek who wasn't verbally able to speak for herself. This is not right. I understand that Dementia patients become like children and not to much you can do about that. TG this man stayed on one side of the common room and Mom was on the other. See, Mom is with it enough to warn "don't" then she will hit and this has nothing to do with the Dementia. I warned that rehab staff and told them I wouldn't be paying for his glasses if she knocked them off. No one should be exposed to anything they r uncomfortable with. TG her AL has only 39 residents so thy can be watched better.
Daughterlu, I think all of us understood the question to be about inappropriate touching by a resident with dementia and our answers reflect that. Even those with dementia should never be allowed to cross that line where they cause physical harm or mental anguish to another resident, if a member of staff is speaking or acting that way they have absolutely NO excuse.
Be careful when you ask a patient questions. Often they say "yes" to anything in order to please you. So ask "Who brought you the yogurt?" because that needs more than just a "yes". I could ask my sister if Santa came down the chimney and she would just say "yes".
As for the kisser, some folks are just very generous with hugs and kisses. Mighty Christian of them, I'd say.
Of course, if the touching is inappropriate or aggressive, that's another story and another set of tactics to handle it.
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