I just need some perspective here. A few weeks ago mom, who has moderate to severe dementia, had an infection and was on amoxicillin. That resulted in diarrhea which I’ve been cleaning up but now seems to be improving now that it’s getting out of her system. Well this morning I opened the fridge to get something and then noticed a poop smell. There it was. On the door on the shelf a neat pile of poop on a napkin. Can anyone shed some light on what is going on?!
To learn more, go to https://www.agingcare.com/topics/8/dementia-behaviors/articles and read the articles that relate to your Mom, and bookmark that section for when other unusual behaviors crop up.
Somehow, putting poop in the fridge makes sense in her current state of cognition.
There is no fixing this, sorry to say. She probably needs a higher level of care than can be provided in a home environment.
If it can be budgeted, you may want to consider 3 shifts of caregivers each day. That way after 8 hours the caregiver can go home and rest, and be ready for the next day shift.
I went though an Agency when my Dad needed help and he had 3 shifts which worked out very well. If a caregiver couldn't make his/her shift, the Agency quickly found a replacement. Plus the Agency handled the payroll taxes, insurance, and workman's comp.
Then my Dad decided it was time for him to go into senior living where he would have a village to watch over him. He loved it there being around people of his own generation. And the cost was more affordable for him then have around the clock care at home.
Now I will not complain that she never goes into the fridge for anything.