My father is in a long term assisted facility (in another state). They are telling me that he frequently walks around with his pants down. Is this normal and if so, what is the best way to handle this? The staff at this facility is not adept at working with patients with dementia so I'm trying to politely offer ideas that might help that doesn't step on their toes. Thank you.
I am truly surprised that a facility can not manage this.
Begin looking for a Memory Care Facility that has staff that is adept at managing dementia and it's various behaviors.
I agree with others it may be time for MC, since dementia is a progressive disease. If you have to "train" that staff to understand dementia behaviors, then he may not be in an appropriate facility.
It’s actually quite common for people with dementia to remove their clothes or walk around partially undressed. Often it’s not intentional “misbehavior,” but a sign of an unmet need or confusion — for example:
• He may be too warm, uncomfortable, or irritated by the fabric of his clothes.
• He may be trying to use the bathroom but can’t find it or communicate his need.
• He may simply be confused about where he is and what’s appropriate.
Because these behaviors usually indicate that someone’s dementia has progressed, it can be difficult for a standard assisted living facility to manage them. Memory care units are specifically designed for people at this stage. They have:
• Staff trained to respond to dementia-related behaviors.
• Higher staff-to-resident ratios and more supervision.
• Environments designed for safety, dignity, and comfort.
In the meantime, some families find it helpful to dress their loved one in adaptive or “anti-strip” clothing — one-piece outfits with closures in the back — which makes it harder for the person to disrobe while still keeping them comfortable.
Here are a few reputable companies that specialize in adaptive clothing for people with dementia:
• Silverts Adaptive Clothing (silverts.com)
• Buck & Buck (buckandbuck.com)
• Joe & Bella (joeandbella.com)
• Resident Essentials (residentessentials.com)
• Adaptive Clothing Showroom (adaptiveclothingshowroom.com)
I hope this helps you feel a bit more prepared and supported.
You can keep his pants on by buying him clothes designed for people with dementia that they can't take off on their own. Jumpsuits and pants with velcro fastening in the back so they can't get them off.
It sounds like if you get him some appropriate clothing, you may have some time before you have to make the decision to move him. A good MC facility will help you with that.
He is probably ready to move to a higher level of care than Assisted Living. In a Memory Care facility, the staff are trained to work with dementia patients.
I am concerned about two things; you will buy adaptive clothing for him that he can not put on or remove on his own and Assisted living staff will not be there to help him out of his clothes to go the bathroom.
You plan to keep him where he is because he doesn't have money for memory care. He can not stay at this facility. Someone needs to help him apply for Medicaid, which will help to pay for the care he needs. Some memory care facilities may take medicaid, if not, then he will need to find a suitable skilled nursing facility. Or, Medicaid can help you to hire a home care aid to help him at the assisted living facility. That could be one option if he's not quite ready for a skilled nursing facility.
Any move will be unsettling, however, he will adjust to a different setting where there is a proper bedrm 4 sleep, kind supportive people, regular meals and favorite pictures or belongings around.
Please do not beat yourself up for needed decisions.
Not sure what his other behaviors are like, if he goes to the restroom on his own,etc, but the elastic waist pants are still a good idea. We had to do this for my dad because he kept fidgeting with buttoning/unbuttoning his pants & them falling down because he said they didn’t fit right, even though they were a good fit. A little after wearing the elastic waist pants things got better. He stopped complaining about his pants. And eventually when others are helping him with everything they will be useful too.
Hoping for the best for you & your dad!