My mother hides her purse nightly

What if you talked with her about the purse and offered to take it home with you for safe keeping. Maybe even lean into her delusion a bit, stressing that no one will get it at your house, you will protect it. If you dont think she would agree to this , maybe just bring it home without telling her. When she calls looking for it, apologize for not telling her and explain that you brought it to your house to keep it safe. I imagine you would have to do this multiple times since she will not remember the conversation. With any luck if the purse is out of sight for a while she will forget about it. I hope you can find something that works.

It's weird how thievery is the go-to for our poor LOs. My mom is the same…she carries her purse everywhere (even into the bathroom - she has a private room with locking door). I asked her once why it was so important that she keeps it on her body in her own space. She said that's all she has left of her individual identity and bit of independence (like SiberianIris, I put a few expired credit cards and spending money in her wallet with her ID and insurance cards).

My mom, too, willl tell me the aides go in and out of room to steal things (I posted previously that they had "stolen" a shoe, her underwear, toilet paper…whatever she can't find in the moment). Then, again, I think maybe it was always part of her nature. Even growing up, she used to hide things (like my Christmas presents) then forget where she hid them and blamed my dad for moving them (he didn't). The upside then was more presents for me! I found her cellphone in the mini fridge once - no idea why she thought that was a good hiding place. Thank goodness it wasn't the freezer.

One of my friends told me about the air tag trick. The first tag was quickly removed and tossed (she fiddles like nobody's business). So I sewed it to the inside of the bag - I didn't think of sewing it into the lining. I think I will do that since she tugs at the tag trying to remove it.

I love this forum for all the great ideas and support. Navigating care for our parents is definitely a challenge - especially if you yourself was never a parent. (I have no parenting skills!!!)

My mom when she was living at her house she would hid her purse under her bed. Or in a dresser drawer. Then the next morning she couldn't it. She would call me up and say, I can't find my purse. Some one came in the middle of the night and stole the Damm thing. I said mom where did you have it last? She said well I took it to bed with me last night, and I locked my bedroom door behind me. I said did you go to the potty at night and take it with you? Maybe you left it in there. She said don't get smart with me, I would never take it to the bathroom. Besides I use the bed side potty at night. So let me get this straight. You took your purse to bed with you, and you locked the door behind you to the bed room. And you stayed in there all night long, but you can't find it. So someone broke into your bedroom and stole your purse without knowing it. She said yes that's right. I said mom that can't be possible. She said well they did. So we need to call the police. I said I will take care of it mom. I called my sister and told her mom can't find her purse. She said I will go look for it. So she goes to mom's house, looks under the bed. And sure enough there was her purse. She would look at my sister and say, well how did that get under there.🤦🏼‍♀️. I told my sister that she would make a great police women.

Hahaha! That is great. Sounds like something my dad would have said, if he were still living. So good to find the humor in this craziness!

HAHAHA….this gave me a good chuckle!