Inside The Suspicious Mind

One of the problems I found with using a babysitter, and how I truly detest using that word, is that Dad who's been subjected to Alzheimer's, always believes that the sitter is stealing everything he owns. Also, having zero short-term memory, the babysitter constantly becomes a stranger.

My father would have a one hour conversation with his sitting companion, leave to go to the bathroom only to return shouting, "What the heck are you doing in my house?" Being a friend of the family doesn't matter. Suspicion leads him into thinking they're always talking about him behind his back or stealing his belongings.

Dad treated this one sitter with such an abrupt attitude, he would only address her as "Babysitter," yet he knew her first name very well. During such bouts someone will surely be falsely accused and feelings hurt. It's inevitable.

There are daycare centers specializing in adult supervision, some suited to special needs for Alzheimer's patients. I believe this could be a plus during the early stages of the disease. Likely, if you start them early enough, they can adapt and make friends thus enabling their caregiver to continue their outside job and bring home some much needed finances.

When the disease progresses they might become more combative or verbally abusive. Wandering, trying to get themselves home could become another matter. These are problems that the center might not accept or not employ properly trained staff to handle. It only takes one in the group to act out and the confusion spreads like wildfire.

Remember that every Alzheimer's patient responds differently. These centers are definitely worth a try if you persuade your patient to accept the idea. Forcing matters will only turn into a catastrophe.

A prominent part of the problem lies with the patient feeling degraded from the loss of independence. You need to keep reassuring them they will never be left alone.