She is 94 and I am her caregiver. She does not go out anywhere and I open the door at 8 o'clock in the morning. She does not want me to do this, and she does not want any things that light up like her central heating or her care alarm. Mother has had dementia for over 15 years and she is in the end stages now.
Visual deterrents such as STOP SIGNS that hang ACROSS DOORWAYS and Black or DARK MATS on the floor that are interpreted as "BLACK HOLES" are a couple of ways to minimize wandering of people with Alzheimer's and Dementia
Here are some websites (Copy & Paste URL to your browser.) of Stop Signs made especially as visual deterrent for wandering. Many of the signs are attached with Velcro-like fasteners so that you can take them off anytime you want to. The sign will need to be removed prior to your loved one going out the door.
https://www.webmd.com/brain/10-ways-to-prevent-wandering#
https://www.alzstore.com/stop-sign-banner-p/0134.htm
https://www.caregiverproducts.com/posey-stop-sign-door-banner.html
https://www.mindcarestore.com/stop-sign-banner-p/mc-0134.htm
https://www.alzstore.com/alzheimers-dementia-wandering-s/1828.htm
THOT: Maybe she has been busy with Halloween Trick-or-Treaters. 🎃
Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween.
Makes me feel better.... sometimes I do things she doesn't care for.
I just tell her that her wonderful son installed it... In fact I use his name alot because for some reason he's as mighty special guy that she's kind of obsessed with
My mother was also troubled by things that had lights. There was a red dot on her television that stayed lit all the time. I had to make sure I brought black electrical tape to her facility to keep it covered. I wonder why they’re so affected by these things?
If mom were a child, deprivation of liberty wouldn't be an issue, would it?
My first son, at three yrs of age, figured out how to get the front door unlocked while we slept and a neighbor called to say he was sitting on the curb watching the traffic go by. That called for a higher lock he couldn't reach from a chair.
Forget Dep of Lib malarkey!
Josie didn't say she was imprisoning her mother.
I have my doors locked just because. Let the overbearing govt sue me.
When dementia is so far advanced that the person is in the same position as a small child then there are procedures for getting a licence to take appropriate safety measures. I also doubt if a family caregiver coping alone with a demented parent would be prosecuted, in reality. But if God forbid something goes wrong and the mother comes to harm, or if it comes to light for some other reason that Josie has been doing this, she could be in trouble.
But most of all, the important thing at this point is to try to get the family more support before poor Josie collapses under the strain. It is out there, you just have to keep looking and keep squeaking.
If you aren't already in touch with your local social services (I'm assuming you're in the UK?) do PLEASE give them a ring. They can help in all sorts of ways, and they can also connect you with other organisations.
What support do you have in caring for your mother?
I have help from my brother and sister, but we are all getting older .