Hello. My mum has just started to write on the wall. She will scribble and it won’t make any sense but she scribbles and she can’t make sense of it. There is always paper and pens out for her but she still manages to to draw on the walls?
Is there any information you can help me with? Or help me move forward in helping her.
thank you.
Better still, apply dry erase paint to her entire walls:
https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-241140-Erase-Brush-White/dp/B000PGBCOC
"Dry Erase creates a unique writeable-erasable surface for walls, doors, cabinet doors, message centers, menu boards, toy chests, easels, and craft projects."
If you apply dry erase paint to the walls, give your artistic loved one the dry erase markers so she can have a wonderful time creating.
They most likely will paint the walls before a new resident moves in. I wouldn’t be terribly upset by her scribbling too much.
If you want to clean it, ask the staff what products do they recommend to use.
We have a product here called Mr. Clean Magic Eraser that works very well. I don’t know what products are in your area.
I kind of miss the small doodles my toddles made now.. of course at the time I was horrified & had to teach them to wash it off & where it was appropriate to draw. Makes me wonder.. if I'd let them loose.. maybe they'd be 'Banksy' artists by now...
What about washable markers? There are specific window markers too - any windows she could safely decorate? Or restrict to writing on just ONE wall?
If she would, there is blackboard paint - then supply chalk.
Has Mom always been creative? I'm thinking a senior daycare art group?
An unique problem! But, like many things in dementia-land, if understanding consequences is diminished, more supervision is often needed.
If you don't want mom scribbling on the walls, move her away from the walls or take away the writing instruments she's using to scribble with, replacing the 'walls' with a large pad of paper or a chalkboard or dry erase board. But moving her chair or bed away from the wall would be the best idea.
It doesn't sound like your mother needs help, per se, because she's scribbling on the walls. Unless you feel she's upset or agitated, then call her PCP and chat about what you feel is going on. Calming meds are usually available to dementia patients who need them, but again, scribbling on walls doesn't sound like agitated behavior to me.
Best of luck.
Unfortunately, there isn't much one can do to stop this except wait it out. This phase will pass and something else will take its place.
She may also need more round the clock care, meaning someone who can better keep an eye on her to make sure she's not doing things she shouldn't be.