Directions

mariannereiner

My lo has moderate dementia and cannot follow simple directions such as locking her door. How do I handle that?

SDianeL

Hello again. I just answered your other post. One of the first things I learned on this forum is “you can’t reason with someone whose reasoner is broken” so no matter how many times you try to explain to them they won’t remember or understand. Would your Mom know what to do in case of an emergency? Would she know to leave and how to unlock her door? What is the protocol at the AL for emergencies? You mentioned she’s in AL. Perhaps she might do better in Memory Care. People with dementia can wander off. Memory Care facilities are locked and secure. They don’t usually lock the doors to their rooms. Many people with dementia wander in the hallways because they don’t sleep well. Memory Care offers 24/7 care specific to dementia care. I would also make sure AL is making sure she takes her meds. Sometimes they just remind them instead of watching to make sure they take them. I would speak to the AL director about your concerns and see if they have any recommendations. Please keep us posted.