My roommate would come home late at night and not remember how to unlock the door to the apartment. He would bang the door and ring the doorbell so he can get me to answer it. It's really annoying and I can't continue dealing with this. It's causing me a lot of stress. He also appears tired most of the time when his dementia symptoms manifest. Is there a get my roommate unlock the door without help?
If this person ever gets aggressive with you, call 911 to remove him.
Then call the powers that be and tell them you are now afraid for your life. He needs help.
I would call the program again and get someone incharge. Tell that person you have spoken to someone before and nothing has been done. This man needs help. You are not it. You do not want to share a space with someone who has mental problems or Dementia. They need to either change your accomodations or remove this man. If they don't, you will be calling APS because this man needs help.
You say your roommate has Alzheimer's.
Who is responsible for him in terms of family member or POA, guardian? That would be the person you report this to.
If there is a known diagnosis, but no care then this roommate need protection of the state.
You have no real power here except to report your roommate as a "senior at risk" to APS. If there is no Adult Protective Agency in your town you are down to:
1. A call to 911 for an ambulance for a confused roommate. You can tell them you don't know what is wrong but there is confusion. As the reporting person the hospital ER will contact you for information. Let them know he needs assessment and a social worker, and why.
2. If a call to EMS via 911 for an ambulance doesn't get transport to hospital call APS.
3. If you cannot find APS call your local police or sheriff to report that this roommate needs a visit/a wellness check, is confused.
Other than these options I don't see any recourse here.
It helps to know what age your roommate is. Are you related in anyway. More than just roommates or just roommates.
If your roommate does have ALZ or any Dementia, do you plan on caring for them? If not, you and he have some decisions to make. If he has family, they need to help in that decision making. Are they going to care for him or will he need to be placed. Someone needs to be his POA. If you are just a roommate, it should not be you.
Don't wait till the last minute to do anything. Dementias can progress slowly or overnight they get worse.
1. Is he out with friends that could help him get in?
2. Is he impaired, alcohol or drugs? If so this can make the dementia much more of a problem and can worsen symptoms.
3. Is he driving? Firm believer that a person diagnosed with dementia should not be driving. There is a HUGE liability issue not to mention safety.
4. Are you at all responsible for your roommate? Are you a caregiver? Friend?
5. Are there any other occasions that are a problem for him? Is he able to do all ADL's, participate as he should as a roommate? (doing his share of chores and contributing to household expenses?)
If his symptoms are worsening it might be time to rethink the roommate arrangement. He may be getting to the point where he needs more Assisted Living and not living independently.
Maybe just leave the door unlocked?
Let me ask you (just because I am so enjoying our conversation)--
How is it going over all out there for your roommate?
Any worries at all he could get lost?
Any other problems or concerns you have regarding his behavior?
Just curious. Hoping you will fill us in a little bit more.
Otherwise, will just welcome you to this Forum. Happy reading.
I think you'll find lots of useful information.
A person with AD and dementia really needs supervision at all times and to live with a caregiver type person. He's not ideal as a regular roommate because you will continue to see him exhibit behaviors that don't make sense. Like punching in 60 min on the microwave rather than 60 seconds and causing chaos. Dementia symptoms are not linear, and constantly change. If need be, move or try to find another roommate who does not need supervision.
Good luck to you.
This sounds more like he is trying to get your attention than a Alzheimer's/dementia issue. Time to sit him down to talk about this when he isn't so tired from being out late.