How do I know when I can’t leave her alone anymore?
Question 84 from Stuff Every Dementia Caregiver Should Know
This question is less about the stage of dementia and more about what could happen while you’re gone.
Can she respond appropriately if there’s a fire alarm? Can she use the phone to get help? Will she remember that the stove is on? Could she leave the house looking for you? Does she recognize strangers? Can she manage the bathroom safely? Will she take medication again because she forgot she already took it? If something unexpected happens, can she figure out what to do?
Someone may be perfectly comfortable sitting alone watching television for an hour but unable to handle a knock at the door, a power outage or smoke coming from the kitchen. Routine can hide impairment. Unexpected situations reveal it.
If you’re unsure, start paying closer attention to what happens during shorter absences. Technology such as door alerts or appropriate monitoring may provide useful information, but it doesn’t replace supervision when someone can no longer respond safely on their own.
And sometimes your own behavior tells you the answer. If you spend the entire time you’re gone checking your phone, rushing home or wondering whether the house will still be standing when you arrive, it may be time to reconsider whether being alone is still working.
Have another “Wait…why are they DOING that?!” question?
This is just one of 161 real-life dementia caregiving questions answered in Stuff Every Dementia Caregiver Should Know.
You don’t have to read it from beginning to end. Just find the Stuff you’re dealing with today — and start there.