The Dryer Ate Your Underwear!

Q: My mom is in the early stages of dementia and she is also incontinent we have tried to get her to stop wearing her underpants and have her start wearing pull-up diapers, she throws the Depends out the door and puts her underpants on. Of coarse we have a lot of laundry! How should I handle this?

A: This one should be fairly easy to solve. You have a few options actually! And hopefully you won't have to try them all!

First, you should take all of the regular underwear away, and replace them with the Depends. That way there is no other option. Hopefully in a few days she will adjust to the change and not even notice the difference.

If that doesn't work you may have to resort to under-handed, underwear tactics.

Sometimes with dementia you have to be a little bit dishonest. Somehow to me it never felt right telling little old ladies, little white lies. But, perhaps you could look at it like you are just stretching things a bit, or since we are Irish, it is just blarney!

One of the only ways to effectively deal with those who have dementia or alzheimer's is to enter into their reality. In your moms' mind, she doesn't have a problem and doesn't need them. In our reality we are smelling the urine, finding wet clothes, the furniture might be getting soiled etc. So here are a few one liners that might help you.

1. Mom we sent the underwear to the dry cleaners, they won't be back until next Monday.

2. Sorry, mom, they had to keep them another week.

3. I'm going to have to call and complain, because it has taken them so long.

4. The ladies' department at JC Penney, told me that they don't make that kind of underwear anymore mom. They only sell this kind.

5. Mom, you are hip! It's what all the chics your age are wearing!

6. Mom the washing machine is broken, can you just wear these until we get it fixed.

7. Mom, the dryer ate your underwear.

8. What underwear?

Get a little creative!

Renee "Dutchy" Reeves is an Elder Care Consultant with over 10 years of working with the elderly and their families. Her online advice column, "Ask Dutchy" provides practical ideas and advice for assisting the elderly with Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Parkinson's, disability, and those needing long term care. See other articles by her at http://www.askdutchy.mycarelink.net

---

Google News Updated : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:54:08 GMT RPT-China, Taiwan airlines to see lift from new flights - Reuters WELT ONLINE RPT-China, Taiwan airlines to see lift from new flights Reuters - 8 hours ago By Joseph Chaney TAIPEI, June 29 (Reuters) - Direct weekend flights between China and Taiwan starting this week are likely to give a boost to carriers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait at the expense of Hong Kong, but probably not until all ... China resumes direct flights to Taiwan after 60 years guardian.co.uk China-Taiwan direct: Readers react BBC News AFP - International Herald Tribune - Hindu - Voice of America all 852 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:46:40 GMT Federer One Away From Another Wimbledon Title - New York Times Federer One Away From Another Wimbledon Title New York Times - 5 hours ago By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY For the third straight year, the men’s final will be between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. And the women’s final will be the latest family affair between Venus Williams and her sister Serena. Federer, Nadal to meet for Wimbledon men's title Los Angeles Times Federer aims to keep winning in Nadal battle Financial Times Sports Network - ESPN - Bloomberg - FOXSports.com all 3,443 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:30:13 GMT On Independence Day, Think Fireworks Safety First - Washington Post Seattle Post Intelligencer On Independence Day, Think Fireworks Safety First Washington Post - 1 hour ago By Dennis Thompson FRIDAY, July 4 (HealthDay News) -- Fireworks can be breathtaking spectacles, creating glittering showers of sparks and earth-rumbling booms that thrill people for miles around. 2006: 11 dead, 9200 fireworks injuries United Press International Burned by fireworks? Here's what to do Seattle Post Intelligencer Bell Gardens Sun - NorthEscambia.com - Register Herald - Chester DailyLocal.com all 22 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:19:24 GMT Botswana urges region not to recognize Mugabe's re-election - Xinhua Times Online Botswana urges region not to recognize Mugabe's re-election Xinhua - 2 hours ago JOHANNESBURG, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's government urged its neighbors Friday not to recognize Robert Mugabe's re-election, reiterating calls for Zimbabwe to be suspended from a regional bloc. African Union Weakened by Summit Inaction on Zimbabwe Voice of America West condemns Mugabe, ignores other Africa despots The Associated Press Telegraph.co.uk - Times Online - AFP - USA Today all 4,688 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:05:14 GMT 'Gonzo' diverting rehash of what a long, strange trip it's been - San Jose Mercury News 'Gonzo' diverting rehash of what a long, strange trip it's been San Jose Mercury News - 6 hours ago By Glenn Whipp With two volumes of letters, a handful of biographies, three previous documentary movies, two feature films and a comic strip character, not to mention a writing career spent mostly in the first person, is there anything that hasn't been ... The perfect subject for 'Gonzo' Seattle Post Intelligencer Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson Chicago Sun-Times Washington Post - TIME - Los Angeles Times - USA Today all 160 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:10:38 GMT Reaction to the death of Jesse Helms - The Associated Press Canada.com Reaction to the death of Jesse Helms The Associated Press - 2 hours ago Reaction to the death of former North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms, who died on the Fourth of July at age 86: "Jesse Helms was a kind, decent, and humble man and a passionate defender of what he called "the Miracle of America. Video: A Look Back At Jesse Helms CBS Former Senator Jesse Helms dead at 86 Boston Globe AFP - RedOrbit - Salt Lake Tribune - Journal and Courier all 1,804 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:51:11 GMT O's bats get revenge vs. Rangers - MLB.com Seattle Post Intelligencer O's bats get revenge vs. Rangers MLB.com - 1 hour ago By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com BALTIMORE -- Call it a down payment towards payback. The Orioles earned a small measure of revenge against the Rangers on Friday, courtesy of an 10-4 victory that was all but decided by the fourth inning. O's pound Rangers Sports Network Orioles score 8 off Padilla, beat Rangers 10-4 The Associated Press Rotoworld.com - TexasRangers.com - United Press International - Dallas Morning News all 147 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:43:39 GMT Automatic Blogging RSS For Web Pages

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

What Colour was Your Great-grandmothers Hair?

I've just made another Photoshop video. This one is about... Read More

5 Myths You Should Know Before Choosing Elder Care

Myths associated with selecting quality nursing home care suggest quick... Read More

Solitary Confinement -- for Life

Sixty-five year old Arthur Jones served a self-imposed life sentence... Read More

Long Term In-home Care Options

Are you worried that you may lose all your life's... Read More

Senior Care for Alzheimer?s

As a person ages, a certain amount of memory loss... Read More

Arizona Assisted Living: Resident Rights

According to the Arizona Administrative Code (R9-10-710), those who reside... Read More

Compare Nursing Homes

Finding the best nursing home is easier than you might... Read More

Second Hand Stair Lifts

Buying second hand stair lifts is a viable and cost... Read More

Prepare to Make Long-term Care Choices

Several months ago, I was coming out of a gas... Read More

Review of the Changing Protein Requirements for Seniors

Youth, it is said, is wasted on the young. Too... Read More

Local Businesses Serving Seniors Prove Commitment to Quality Care

Good news! You no longer have to risk chance when... Read More

Scaling Down (Almost) Painlessly

Moving to a smaller house or apartment in a retirement... Read More

Just Give Them a Lot of Love and You?ll be Fine

It was right about this time, 19 years ago. My... Read More

The Truth About Christmas

Every year, as Christmas approaches, you hear Christmas carols everywhere.... Read More

Alzheimers Care Giving While Maintaining Your Own Health

Just for a moment I want you to imagine that... Read More

When the Box is Empty

The King had a modest kingdom. He was Danish. This... Read More

Feeling Lonely?

Q: I hate Alzheimer's disease, not only has it robbed... Read More

Prevent or Delay Alzheimers Disease

Argh! Where are my glasses? I put them down .... Read More

Strategies on Paying for Nursing Home Care and Medicaid

The decision to place your loved one into a nursing... Read More

Stairlifts ? Take the Struggle Out of Climbing the Stairs

Buying a stairlift can have huge benefits for your quality... Read More

Skilled Nursing Homes - What Are They?

A skilled nursing home is a medical facility providing services... Read More

Caring for Aging Relatives

It happens somewhat slowly in the beginning, maybe with a... Read More

Assisted Living: Tips on How to Choose a Facility

It is easy to be fooled by fancy drapery or... Read More

Long Term-Care; 70 Million Americans Will Be Over 65 by 2003

We will all grow old; this is a given. We... Read More

Why Everyone Over 50 Should be Training for the Senior Games

by Phil Campbell, M.S., M.A., FACHE Senior Games participant and... Read More