Now this behavior pops up

ljanebarton

My DH has 24/7 care. I still work full time. His daytime CNA is quite good, but sometimes requires a lot of hand holding and sends me numerous texts throughout her shift. He does not walk independently (in the house, if he's vertical, he requires hands on with a gait belt 100% of the time)

Today's text was regarding his wanting "do himself" - asked to go to the bathroom and asked for lotion. She re-directed him and they went on with their day. He seems pre-occupied with masturbation lately. I've heard this is a frequent issue with ALZ patients. Any suggestions?

(she knows his condition - I would prefer not to get a text as I'm at work and there isn't anything I can do about it)

Ed1937

I'm sorry you are dealing with that. I'm not sure about this, but maybe it would be a good idea to talk to his doctor to see if medication might help. I don't think it's an uncommon condition, but I don't remember seeing any posts that might help. I hope you find a solution, and if you do, please let us know.

gampiano

Hi Jane,

These annoying behaviors aren't uncommon, and my experience is that they do abate after awhile, to be replaced by another quirky or obsessive habit . Re direction is the way to go here. Maybe meds will help, idk. Maybe you can gently speak with the caregiver and ask her to journal these experiences so that you can "read them"(or not) when you have some quiet time after work. It is very stressful getting these reports, and i feel that a lot of them are un necessary. Tell her that its stressing you out.

Sending empathy,

Maureen

Jo C.

Sometimes it can be difficult for a care aide to know just what to do in certain circumstances. Perhaps if you meet with the aide and discuss the issues and ask her about what she feels are important issues to ask you about and you can discuss just what is or is not important to have contact about. If she is not a person who is highly experienced with the care of dementia persons, she may be uncertain of parameters and needs clarification to be sure she is not doing anything wrong. It also may be that the aide is not a good fit for a person with dementia and is not comfortable with such patients.

I found it effective to provide a written outline re behaviors or other care items and how we best managed the dynamic. I added what was upsetting and what was soothing and how to re-focus the patient.

As far as the fixation re masturbation, it is not a "frequent" issue with Alzheimer's patients; just for some persons with dementia. Very often that dynamic is due to damage to the frontal lobe of the brain. When it is a persistent issue, it is often because of said damage and there are meds which can assist. I would especially ask the aide if your husband has ever tried to touch her inappropriately; she may be too embarrassed to mention it to you if that has happened, but it is important to rule that out.

My step-dad began such behaviors and it was only a bit later that we found out he was trying to touch the aides; not forcing them or attacking them, just touching inappropriately. We did reach out to the dementia specialist and a low dose of med was prescribed which was very helpful in quelling that as well as a few other persistent negative behaviors. As I recall, it was Seroquel and it was effective.

J.

housefinch

Oh, dear. If this behavior continues, you may be facing a tough staffing situation. This is what we see in patients with frontal lobe brain injuries also—I agree with @Jo C. I don’t mean to sound unfeeling at all. I’m imagining most home health aides’ tolerance of such behavior will be low. The only place I can picture this behavior not becoming a “deal breaker” for your staff—or staff at a memory care facility, either—would be somewhere staffed by the nurses from the Bronx VA Hospital where I did some of my medical training. If you plan on working full time and it continues, I would be calling soon for a medication consult appointment. I hope things improve.