Stripping.... - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

Erika2610 · 08-14-2005, 10:42 PM

Does anybody know or can anybody think of why Alzheimer's patients at times will try to take all their clothes off one by one? I was just curious, cuz I see a few of them at the nursing home doing this, and I was curious if maybe the clothes irriatate them? I was just looking for some opinions..
Thanks

angel_bear · 08-15-2005, 01:14 AM

Isn't it odd how previously modest people all of a sudden lose every piece of modesty?

Let's throw caution to the wind ...........

Ok I asked why some patients strip .. and a few answers/ideas came up

1) they're bored.
2) they know they can get dressed and undressed but lose the time of day
3) they're uncomfortable
4) They've forgotten modesty/decorum/tact/diplomacy
5) Sundowning
6) fidgeting (doing something just for the sake of doing it)
7) somebody told them to keep their clothes on so they do the opposite (because they can, no reasoning)
8) they don't like what they are wearing
9) They don't like the colours they are wearing (bright isn't nice, pastels are calming)
10) They saw somebody else doing it

And of course, the list can go ON and ON and ON .....................

What can you do? Nothing. It's not hurting anybody. Visitors get upset, but the strippee couldn't give a toss! LOL

They're a weird mob! (make a good name for a book .. oh hang on, there already is one *chuckle*)

Hugs
Sally

Erika2610 · 08-15-2005, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang_sally

Isn't it odd how previously modest people all of a sudden lose every piece of modesty?

Let's throw caution to the wind ...........

Ok I asked why some patients strip .. and a few answers/ideas came up

1) they're bored.
2) they know they can get dressed and undressed but lose the time of day
3) they're uncomfortable
4) They've forgotten modesty/decorum/tact/diplomacy
5) Sundowning
6) fidgeting (doing something just for the sake of doing it)
7) somebody told them to keep their clothes on so they do the opposite (because they can, no reasoning)
8) they don't like what they are wearing
9) They don't like the colours they are wearing (bright isn't nice, pastels are calming)
10) They saw somebody else doing it

And of course, the list can go ON and ON and ON .....................

What can you do? Nothing. It's not hurting anybody. Visitors get upset, but the strippee couldn't give a toss! LOL

They're a weird mob! (make a good name for a book .. oh hang on, there already is one *chuckle*)

Hugs
Sally

Oh, I know there's nothing I can do.. I usually just ignore it. But when I go in, and see my grandmother just stripping. I try to make her stop. Of course she ignores me, but I try

And it's weird, because she starts getting all fidgety.. takin her clothes off n everything. Then they give her a Xanax, and she's all good. She's just like my old grandmother.. it's weird

angel_bear · 08-15-2005, 02:56 AM

Yeah .. I know Erica .. strange folk they be now. We know they shouldn't, and we want them to behave 'normal', but in their world, they ARE normal! LOL

All I can suggest is if she's agitated whilst undressing, her med's should be re-addressed or her body may not like the detergent used to launder her clothes. Has she got a rash or anything? If it's hot, she may be overheating too ....

My MIL was ALWAYS modesty+ ! British citizen and all that, buttons buttoned, collars folded, everything *just right* but no more

They will try the patience of a saint .. I am sure.

Hugs
Sally

Erika2610 · 08-15-2005, 03:50 AM

She's just started doing this.. mainly when she's in her wheelchair. I think it might be partly cuz it's stifling hot in that place. But like I said, give her a Xanax.. calms her right down, I could stay there all day

And oh my lord.. this woman would DIE if she knew what she was doing! She used to be so prim and proper.. and yes they will try the patience of a saint.. I have all the patience in the world. I go from room to room visiting everybody.. I put up with ALOT. Old people swearing at me, grabbing me. But sometimes when she gets all fidgety and argumentative, I just hafta go. I got told off once in French