Focus on Dog that was Given Away

It’s a Dry Heat

Hello,

I’m new to the forums and need some feedback around behaviors exhibited by my mother who was diagnosed with dementia. For the past month she has been focusing on a dog she previously owned and we had to re-home as she could no longer care for it. In the past couple of months she claims she has seen him in her apartment and says that he recently ran away. It was so real to her that she asked the front desk staff at her independent living community if they had seen him and has called her caregiver crying because he ran away. She is depressed because he is gone and she can’t find him.

My sister took her to the doctor to make sure she didn’t have any underlying health issues, such as a UTI and there was nothing wrong. She also visited with the neurologist and they prescribed a transdermal patch to help with the issue but we have yet to receive it. My sister and I are unsure of how to handle this as it doesn’t seem to resolve itself. Any thoughts, experiences and suggestions are welcome. Thank you!!

Marta

Is one of her underlying health issues dementia?

If so, this may be confabulation or hallucination.  You can google it.

Try a mechanical dog that looks similar to her beloved friend.

MN Chickadee

If she is unable to recall how or why her dog moved out and is hallucinating seeing it, I am wondering if independent living is safe or appropriate for her now. Her dementia may have progressed and this is how you are finding out. Could it be the stress of managing daily life and being alone is overwhelming her and it is all coming out as anxiety about this memory of her dog? Perhaps she needs more hours from the caregiver or a different living arrangement. Long hours of alone time to brood is not good for a PWD once they hit a certain point of the disease. 

I would second trying a robotic pet. Joy for All makes cats and dog robo pets. While it sounds ridiculous, many PWD take to them. My mother has the cat and dog and they occupy much of her days. I even find myself talking to it! Your mother may enjoy one. Keep in mind if her current care level is not meeting her needs you will find  some other issue(s) come up even when the dog thing fades away or is solved. 

abc123

To ease her mind you could tell her the dog is safe at the groomer. When she mentions the dog tell her he is safe and you will pick him up tomorrow. It might make her feel better if you tell her the dog is safe.