Is it safe/ok to leave lunch and dinner out for Mom while I’m away from 12 to 8pm? This would be a one-time event.
She has mild dementia, with forgetting she has eaten to be her biggest memory issue. She goes to bed at 6:30pm and sleeps through the night.
Someone said it’s probably ok but I’m not sure. I could use some advice.
Thank you.
I don't see a problem leaving items out to ensure she eats.
I guess my biggest concern is the length of time she would be alone. She does not wander…in fact she never leaves her room, except to use the bathroom.
A PB&J sandwich will keep all day without refrigeration, although the PB may become a it runny. An apple, a banana, a cutup orange: these will keep for hours or more without difficulty.
But something with mayo in it should not be left out for four hours. Nor should meets (even lunchmeats, although these are full of salt and preservatives). American cheese slices with mustard would work, however.
And, if you think there might be mice in the house (it happens) you'll need to improvise a mouse-proof container. A plastic thing with a snap-on lid will work for this, but you'd have to be sure she can open it.
Although if there's concern that she might fall, or there might be fire or other emergency (yes, that happens too) you might look into a PERS ("personal emergency response system" that is, "I fell down and I can't get up") if you think she could and would use it in an emergency. Although these are cheap to acquire they have a monthly fee.
A cheaper alternative is a phone app such as "Big Red Panic Button" for Android. This will NOT call 9-1-1 but you can set it up to send a canned text to a list of people (such as you) who can then respond. Again, if she would be able to use it.
That big red panic button I am always setting off because when I pick up the very thin cellphone, the palm of my hand hits that button. Then there is a scramble to cancel it before the timer ends. It's like being on a game show trying to beat the clock. Usually I lose, and a phone call comes through on my landline from the company.
Just something to think about.
You say "mild dementia" and only you can evaluate your Mom for that. You are now adding your concern, though you feel it unlikely, of a break-in. My concern is always wandering out and fire inside.
Given that you do have concerns I would ask friends, neighbors, etc if they have a trusted baby sitter who could simply be "present" for those hours. I wouldn't myself be able to relax over that 8 hours if your choice has already been typically never to do this, and this is a one time thing.
Costly, perhaps, but much more safe and comforting for you.
What is it exactly that you fear might happen?
how sweet of you, your sister, daughter.
:)
there are no absolutely safe guarantees of safety in eldercare, sadly.
I worked as a nurse in a SNF - we had a lady who loved to walk...and was standing at the counter with the CNAs listening to report (meaningless to her) and suddenly fell backwards to the floor! In front of 2 nurses and 8 CNAs. She didn't have a fall history....until that day.
Take care.