How do I handle the pets?

holland3m

Hi, I’m new here.
My husband and our 3 small kids moved in to help take care of his mother 3 years ago. She has dementia, suspected to be Alzheimer’s, and she had a stroke last year. Recently we have see a big decline in her ability to take care of herself and her pets. She maintained a lot of autonomy at first. With cues she was able to bathe regularly and feed her dogs. She obsesses over dog feeding now. She is frustrated with the pill case we use to set out the dog’s medication, and is demanding we get something different because it’s too confusing. I help with the feeding in the morning, and check In around the time she is supposed to feed at night. She has started feeding him at random times throughout the day as well, and then at dinner time I see the pills are gone, and know he’s already been fed, but she argues about it and is so frustrated that she can’t do this anymore. Does anyone have a system that worked to allow their loved one to retain their independence (or perceived independence) around their care of pets? I’m pulled in so many different directions with 3 kids to care for too that I can’t monitor her full time and our part time caregiver isn’t there during those times, and has been very inconsistent in actually showing up.