Frequently Asked Questions

Question #1

My mother has lived alone since my father died nine years ago. Now, she has Alzheimer’s Disease and the doctor has told us that she shouldn’t live alone in the house any longer, but she won’t leave. What can we do?

Question #2

Each time I go to visit my dad, he tries to prevent me from leaving. I feel so guilty, but I find myself going to see him less because I am running out of excuses to get away. What can I do?

Question #3

Shortly before my mother was diagnosed with dementia, she started staying up practically all night and catnapping during the day. She seems to really come alive in the early evening, getting very restless and agitated, sometimes to the point of screaming and lashing out physically at everyone. Why does she do this, what causes it and what can I do about it?

Question #4

My loved one has Alzheimer’s Disease and has lost all equilibrium but I cannot keep her sitting down during the day. At night, she falls trying to get out of bed. How can I handle this dangerous behavior without being with her in the same room 24/7?

Question #5

I take care of my aunt who has dementia. She does many things that are very strange to me like taking her clothes off all day regardless of who is in the living room and she eats off of our plates at the dinner table. We can’t keep her out of the bathroom. She takes the clean towels out of the cabinet, wets and wrings them out and then hangs them all over the bathroom to dry. She probably uses a roll of toilet paper a day all by herself but she doesn’t need it. It’s just that she says she has to go but when she does, nothing happens, and she still uses the paper. The worst thing of all is that she will have a bowel movement in her disposable underwear, put her hand down in it, pull it out and play with it. It’s a huge mess. She is quiet as a mouse when she does this. I am afraid to leave her sight. I want to keep her at home with me but I need some ideas on how to manage this odd behavior. How do I handle these particular problems?

Question #6

My uncle is in the latter stages of Parkinson’s disease and has dementia and is staying with us. I can’t seem to get him to eat safely. He chokes on everything, even water. What can I do to help him?

Question #7

Which kind of facility should I place my mother into? She has dementia. What types are out there?

Question #8

I would rather place my dad in a care home. Are there other private homes like yours that specialize in caring for hospice patients? How do I find one and what should I look for?