Our Father is Obsessed with Turning Off the Utilities

Ossom

One of the most challenging aspects of caregiving for a loved one with late-stage untreated Neurosyphilis dementia, GPI, and tabes dorsalis is managing their behavior and preventing them from causing harm to themselves or others. Recently, my father has developed a concerning preoccupation with utility services, such as internet, gas, and electricity, which has added a new layer of complexity to our caregiving responsibilities.

Despite our efforts to explain the importance of these services and the consequences of shutting them off, my father remains fixated on calling utility companies and requesting that they be disconnected. This behavior has become increasingly obsessive, and we fear that he may attempt to take matters into his own hands if we're not vigilant in monitoring his activities.

This situation is further complicated by my father's YouTube addiction. He spends hours watching content on his television, yet he fails to recognize the connection between the internet and his device's power source. It's as if he is living in a world where cause and effect no longer apply, and we are left to navigate the consequences of his actions.

As we've previously mentioned, we are currently awaiting a conservatorship document that requires the signatures of two physicians. However, our father has refused to visit a doctor, making it difficult to move forward with this legal process. We are now waiting for an ambulance visit to the hospital, which would provide us with the opportunity to seek further assistance in managing his care.

In the meantime, we've found it necessary to take several steps to minimize the risk of harm and maintain a safe environment for our father:

Limit his access to utility companies' contact information and block any suspicious numbers.

Monitor his internet usage and restrict access to websites that may encourage or facilitate disconnection of essential services.

Establish clear boundaries and expectations regarding the use of utilities and the consequences of attempting to disconnect them.

Ensure that important documents, such as utility bills and service agreements, are kept in a secure location and easily accessible for reference.

By implementing these strategies, we hope to create a safer environment for our father while minimizing the emotional and physical toll on our family.