I already read a CHATGPT response as to why this occurs. Curious as to how common this is from members.
Mom is now unplugging things. She's routinely flipping over the cameras I have in the house to watch her and her aid. She says there's a red light(there is none). This week the house phone ,tv and my cameras all went dead. She unplugged not only the cable router, but her verizon FIOS box in the garage She has no idea that she did this. I first noticed the Google Nest Cam stopped working and she reached out to my brother that the phone and TV went dead.
I guess this is the new normal. Should I expect this behavior to last for a short time, forever etc. Again, she has no idea she did this.
Your question brings up suggestions from others.
This generally means that they have had personal experience with a LO unplugging things or they have been in a support group where this has been discussed or this subject has been on this forum in the past.
All part of this journey is sharing what has worked for us or others.
I am sure you would not have wanted simple yes this has happened or no I have no experience with this behavior.
Part of this forum is to learn what might work, and to share what we have learned on this path. Why try to blaze a new path when others have walked before you.
Not even going to get into a caregiver that does not seem to pay attention to...Oops I guess I did
I mounted my aunts cameras on the wall well above her reach though your mom might take a broom etc to them.
Aunt did have one that blinked and it bothered her. I moved it.
This will pass in my experience if “new” activitues but each dementia patient is different. While it’s going on ask the aide to stay with her or give her busy work while she needs to be cooking etc. like folding towels or separating buttons etc.
If she talks on the phone to,girlfriends they may discuss the annoying cameras. It’s just hard to know what causes each problem beyond it just being chalked up to dementia.
i remember that my mom w/o dementia would unplug everything major when it looked like a thunderstorm was coming. Perhaps your mom has gone back to a time when that was done routinely in her home. Some routinely unplug coffee pots because they started house fires etc.
Maybe tell her all those things work together. If she unplugs one it will make the other go off…like the phone or tv. Doubtful she will remember but sometimes it happens.
I appreciate what you are saying about not spending their money needlessly. care is so expensive. I finally decided that I would make my aunt as happy as possible and not worry if she ran out. I had a plan for when she did and that made it easier.
Have you thought about that?
My late husband who died with vascular dementia, wouldn't have had a clue what he needed to unplug or not, so to me it sounds a bit suspicious.
And that just may be me as I'm not a very trusting person.
High in cabinets, on shelves. Conceal them in flower baskets, stuffed animals, vases or boxes.
Place any other things she may unplug in secure lock boxes.
If there is a thermostat control get a lock box to put over that.
I am curious how she could do all this if she has an aide. Apparently the aide is not doing a great job keeping an eye on her if she was able to get to the garage.
Always with dementia...expect the unexpected.