Mom Removing Clothes and Blankets

emster2112

My 90 y/o Mom had a stroke and is home where my family is providing 24/7 care.  Mom has been diagnosed with dementia post-stroke.  She is impulsively removing her clothes and blankets.  In the middle of the night, no matter how many times we put everything back in place, within an hour, she's removing everything again.  What can we do to help her?  Is there anything we can do to address her anxiety that's causing her to do this?

harshedbuzz

emster-

Welcome. I am glad you found our little clubhouse, but sorry for your need to be here.

For anxiety, a geriatric psychiatrist is the specialist who can manage meds to relieve anxiety and agitation. Once dad had a diagnosis, the geripsych became the most important member of his medical team.

For undressing, there are anti-strip day outfits and night clothes that look "normal" but that close in the back so they can't be removed by the person wearing them.

Back-Zip Jumpsuits - Jumpsuits - Women's Adaptive Adaptive Clothing for Seniors, Disabled & Elderly Care (buckandbuck.com)

That said, sometimes the damage to the brain can impact temperature regulation. Most PWD report being "cold" but I suppose "warm" could also happen.

HB

Jo C.

The link harshbuzzed provided to Buck and Buck's Clothing is an exellent one.  They are easy to use, customer friendly and have SO much in the way of adaptive clothing for both daytime and nighttime.

They do indeed have back closing garments for both daytime and sleepwear that looks like "normal" front closing clothing but actually close down the back so the person cannot remove the garment themselves.

I have used them for items and was very pleased with the items and their service; they have a generous return policy and will put the person's name inside the garment at no extra cost and shorten items at no extra cost.  Really user friendly.

J.