Erika2610
08-15-2005, 01:42 AM
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 :)
Thanks :)
Sponsor
angel_bear
08-15-2005, 04:14 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
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, 04:47 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
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 :)
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, 05:56 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
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, 06:50 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 :eek:
angel_bear
08-15-2005, 09:06 AM
OH isn't it AMAZING what they come out with? it's a HUGE shock when the worst word you've heard from her in 16 years is 'darn' ......
and yes, I've ducked and weaved the punches and lashing out episodes (unfortunatley, my reactions are slower than her, and she more often than not connected), but since I've limited my interactions with her on a face to face situation, she's mellowed somewhat.
You are doing the right thing by leaving her alone when she's in 'one of those moods'. Again, it's like a small child. You wouldn't put up with it from them, nor do you have to put up with it from her. Her obnoxious behaviour cannot be rewarded with any kind of response other than ignoring her and leaving her alone. She doesn't have an audience then and has nobody to play to. Sad, but true unfortunately.
At least she speaks french .. alot of residents/visitors/staff won't know what she said hence saving perhaps SOME embarressment?
I do think if she's hot however, she's probably got too many clothes on. If you can get some soft blouses in pastel colours she might settle a bit. What about a sun-frock? (A-line dress) Perhaps a cotton nightie if she's in PJ's more often than not? and then again, she might be slipping into the next stage, which is just a waiting period (USUALLY)
The road is hard, but you aren't alone.
Hugs to you
Sally
and yes, I've ducked and weaved the punches and lashing out episodes (unfortunatley, my reactions are slower than her, and she more often than not connected), but since I've limited my interactions with her on a face to face situation, she's mellowed somewhat.
You are doing the right thing by leaving her alone when she's in 'one of those moods'. Again, it's like a small child. You wouldn't put up with it from them, nor do you have to put up with it from her. Her obnoxious behaviour cannot be rewarded with any kind of response other than ignoring her and leaving her alone. She doesn't have an audience then and has nobody to play to. Sad, but true unfortunately.
At least she speaks french .. alot of residents/visitors/staff won't know what she said hence saving perhaps SOME embarressment?
I do think if she's hot however, she's probably got too many clothes on. If you can get some soft blouses in pastel colours she might settle a bit. What about a sun-frock? (A-line dress) Perhaps a cotton nightie if she's in PJ's more often than not? and then again, she might be slipping into the next stage, which is just a waiting period (USUALLY)
The road is hard, but you aren't alone.
Hugs to you
Sally
ToBeFreeToRoam
08-16-2005, 12:29 AM
Hi you guys,
Do all alzheimers patients take their clothes off in the later levels? So far, my dad knows not to take his clothes off when someone other than my mother is there. But, she tells me he sometimes lies on the bed naked and goes around the house in his underwear.
I tell him he needs to wear clothes in the den, in case he has company just drop by. And I also try to get him to wear some of those "house pants" (like pajama bottoms, that some teens wear out in public. We bought them for him for Christmas. So far, the only clothes that I have seen on the internet for people that can barely dress themselves (men), are like with fasteners down the back! He definitely would not like that, nor would my mom! Let me know if anyone has any ideas of things for men to wear. Things that are easy for them/us to get on and off, but still look nice.
My dad has some nice shoes (med. dressy), that fasten with velcro. He really likes them and they are very comfortable. So far he can put them on and take them off by himself. Just give him lots of time and hope that he does not forget what he was doing in the middle of dressing!
Well, I got off the subject again. I hope my dad does not start stripping.
Yall take care. Wannabe
Do all alzheimers patients take their clothes off in the later levels? So far, my dad knows not to take his clothes off when someone other than my mother is there. But, she tells me he sometimes lies on the bed naked and goes around the house in his underwear.
I tell him he needs to wear clothes in the den, in case he has company just drop by. And I also try to get him to wear some of those "house pants" (like pajama bottoms, that some teens wear out in public. We bought them for him for Christmas. So far, the only clothes that I have seen on the internet for people that can barely dress themselves (men), are like with fasteners down the back! He definitely would not like that, nor would my mom! Let me know if anyone has any ideas of things for men to wear. Things that are easy for them/us to get on and off, but still look nice.
My dad has some nice shoes (med. dressy), that fasten with velcro. He really likes them and they are very comfortable. So far he can put them on and take them off by himself. Just give him lots of time and hope that he does not forget what he was doing in the middle of dressing!
Well, I got off the subject again. I hope my dad does not start stripping.
Yall take care. Wannabe
Sandyspen
08-16-2005, 11:21 AM
My Mom lost inhibitions that she use to have. She doesn't remember what is improper or proper.
She no longer has any inhibitions about language either. As long as I can remember, my mom never used to use profanity. She uses all the familiar curse words and makes embarrassing comments in public and then giggles about it.
The downside is that it is very embarrassing, but on the other hand, I can see how precocious my Mom must have been as a child without all the inhibitions of adulthood. Sometimes, I laugh till I cry at some of her antics.
I get to see a side of my mom that I never knew was there.
She no longer has any inhibitions about language either. As long as I can remember, my mom never used to use profanity. She uses all the familiar curse words and makes embarrassing comments in public and then giggles about it.
The downside is that it is very embarrassing, but on the other hand, I can see how precocious my Mom must have been as a child without all the inhibitions of adulthood. Sometimes, I laugh till I cry at some of her antics.
I get to see a side of my mom that I never knew was there.
ToBeFreeToRoam
08-16-2005, 08:40 PM
Hi yall,
The worst thing that my dad says is <deleted>
And that is just when he is mad at himself for not being able to do something simple. He was/is an engineer. They like for everything to be perfect. But it cannot be perfect anymore! I see him watching me pay bills & such, and he looks like he would like to say something about the way I handle this job. But, he is quiet, and we are just making up new rules, as we go along!
My dad has become more outspoken since having alzheimers. He just says more of what he thinks, than he used to. Of course, that is when he can remember what he wanted to say. Sometimes, I try to help him - with prompts - and sometimes it comes to him. But sometimes we just forget about it. No sense worrying about something he cannot remember. We just go on to somethings else. But, I do have to say everything 2 - 3 times over the course of an hour or a day, to help him remember to do it or that we are going to do it and why and when.
Well, off the subject again. Thanks for listening. Take care. Wannabe
The worst thing that my dad says is <deleted>
And that is just when he is mad at himself for not being able to do something simple. He was/is an engineer. They like for everything to be perfect. But it cannot be perfect anymore! I see him watching me pay bills & such, and he looks like he would like to say something about the way I handle this job. But, he is quiet, and we are just making up new rules, as we go along!
My dad has become more outspoken since having alzheimers. He just says more of what he thinks, than he used to. Of course, that is when he can remember what he wanted to say. Sometimes, I try to help him - with prompts - and sometimes it comes to him. But sometimes we just forget about it. No sense worrying about something he cannot remember. We just go on to somethings else. But, I do have to say everything 2 - 3 times over the course of an hour or a day, to help him remember to do it or that we are going to do it and why and when.
Well, off the subject again. Thanks for listening. Take care. Wannabe
Administrator
08-17-2005, 02:02 AM
Posting cuss words and/or explicit discriptions of stripping and is inappropriate.