Hello all you dear caregivers!
Mom - 92
Lives with me and hubby
Original delusion was that hubby was shining lights on her in the night.
That one has stopped.
Now, she says he's blowing cold air on her. Says he put together a machine that he can flip on and off to do this.
Now we hear this all day long. Not just at night, like when she thought there were lights on her.
It's 60 degrees out, the heat is set to 70. She could have 4 blankets and a coat on. But her delusion tells her she has air on her and she is freezing.
I'm at my wits end because nothing I say or do helps her comfort level.
We have an electric heater near her. I make hot water bottles. I bought an electric blanket. NOTHING stops this delusion.
I really need advice or suggestions.
In the meantime, if she's truly feeling cold, that's a pretty easy fix; dressing her in layers is the key. Get her long underwear, first of all. Over the long underwear, put a down vest on her:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=down+vest+women&crid=MIWB3SLDU6E9&sprefix=down+vest%2Caps%2C192&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_9
Be sure to put on a pair of down booties as well:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=down+booties+for+women&crid=1PWLQ6TLQ4J3P&sprefix=down+booties%2Caps%2C200&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_12
Socks under the booties, of course, and something warm on her hands. A wool hat and scarf should help as well. Then you can put a warm throw around her to finish it all off.
She'll be sweating bullets in no time and then you can remove articles of clothing, one at a time.
Here is a link to an article on the subject: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/daily-living/keeping-warm-dementia
Remember, a delusion to you is real to her. Also take into consideration that a calorie = a unit of heat. Is she eating sufficiently? If not, this could be a contributing factor to why she's so cold. If her body feels icy cold, her broken mind is telling her the reason is because your husband is blowing cold air on her. She could also have circulation issues that result in her feeling so cold all the time.
And finally, go to Alzheimers.org and read up on the subject of dementia & Alzheimers. YouTube videos by Teepa Snow are also very helpful in finding effective ways to communicate with her and to understand the disease yourself. Knowledge is power!
Wishing you the best of luck!
Its so difficult not to become annoyed and accept the way our loved ones are now.
It doesn't appear that layering clothes will work, neither does denying that the problem exists. Try this... tell her your sorry but your husband thought she would like the cool air but apparently it's too much. He's dismantled the machine/fan and put it away.
If she believes it exists, she may believe its been removed.
This delusion will eventually fade but may be replaced by another. She needs to be evaluated. Bring it up at her next doctor's appt. Good luck.
The repeating is also another symptom on dementia. Sometimes, it comes due to the person forgetting that they have already told you the story 25 times that day. To them, it's the first time. And, telling someone that they have already told you won't work or stop them from repeating, because, they forget that you told them that. So, it's a matter of just listening and pretending it's the first time you've heard it. Eventually, this stage will pass. With my LO, it lasted about a year, but ,people vary.
I would CHECK WITH HER DOCTOR about her being cold. It could be her thyroid. When you have low thyroid, it can make you freezing cold and nothing helps. Have they checked that lately? OH, I would NOT allow a person who has dementia to use an electric blanket. Their brain cells are damaged and she may not realize she is burning her skin. I'd avoid her being by an electric heater too. Her judgment may be impaired and she could touch it and burn herself.
I'd also inquire what is causing the delusions and memory loss, if it's not dementia.
my mother was positive the cat litter box was “ growing” birds that were attacking the cat. Eventually she moved on to another one.
Good luck.
Shannon
Also do what Margaret Mcken suggested and buy the warmest cap you can find. Walmart sold some thick acrylic caps that had two layers for only $5.98 each. Buy non-slip socks or thick socks that aren't too tight around the top.
Continue using the space heater, and also turn up the AC to 73 or 74 if you possibly can. Close the doors to that room so the heat stays inside. Check the seal of the windows because cool air may be blowing through cracks, especially at night.
Bedridden patients almost always lose a lot of body mass, which means that their metabolism isn't creating much natural heat for them. They may need double layers of clothing.
She may be fixated on the temperature because she's anxious. See if her doctor thinks Ativan or another drug for anxiety might make her sleep better. Have her checked for a urinary tract infection; often older people don't feel pain from them, but they do feel anxious.
Last, and this may be the very best idea of all: Look on Amazon.com for a product called HotHands. Another brand is called Little Hotties. These are small, disposable handwarmers that can be shaken for a few seconds and they start heating up. They last for hours and hours, and if they start getting cold, you can often reactivate them by shaking them again. They have been one of the best things I've ever bought—Jim goes to sleep with them in his hands every night, and he very rarely is cold any more.
Finally a psychiatrist put her on a low dose anti psychotic. This is the only thing that took them away. Pros & Cons of anti psychotic medication is an ongoing conversation, but I’m thankful she’s no longer having the delusions.
Why are you mad that I took the car? You can leave the house or drive (ok - I shouldn't have said that one).
I'd give everything I have to take the mental aspects away. The doctors are assuring me that time and stability will help. No medical reasons they can find for the delusions. Yay?