It's a rhetorical question. I realize this is just another joyful manifestation of dementia so I'm not looking for solutions or coping strategies. I'm just going a little NUTS right now and need to get it off my chest...
I guess the word "constant" isn't entirely accurate but it's certainly a consistent problem. My mil gets it into her head that a certain drawer or cabinet or box (that's been buried in the back of a closet for the last 5-10 years) needs to "get cleaned and/or sorted out" and any stuff she doesn't need or use any more must either be stored elsewhere or thrown away....except NOTHING ever gets tossed or re-packed!! Instead the contents of said drawer or cabinet or box end up scattered about the house, lying here and there to be "sorted out later". But "later never comes! What started out (in HER mind) as a simple afternoon project lies unfinished for days. Sometimes weeks. If dh or I remark about the building clutter she either ignores it or gets miffed and tells us she "hasn't had time to deal with it yet" (because she's so busy doing....what?) if we dare try to relocate or Here's one of my favorite celebrity anecdotes....while attending a big Hollywood bash actor Jack Nicholson was approached by an attractive young woman and asked if he'd like to dance. In typical "Jack" fashion his eyes slowly traveled down the full length of her no doubt voluptuous body, then back up again, and after taking her all in replied in that dripping sarcastic tone he's so famous for, "Wrong verb."put any of it back we're called on it. She might not remember what she ate for lunch two hours ago, but damned if she'll remember that broken old electric can opener that she'd pulled out of somewhere and set on top of the counter three weeks ago has gone missing! Worse, she sometimes accuses one or both of us of removing an item that either never had been there to begin with, or she moved herself...but of course there's no convincing her otherwise. She "knows" it had been "right there", and now it's GONE. *gasp*
Again, just venting. I love her, she's a hot ticket...but someTIMES....! If anyone feels inclined to share similar experiences I'd love to hear it - always helps to know someone else out there is tearing his/her hair out too. Misery does love company. If not, thanks for listening...and God bless us, every one.
hope your mom mellows out. obsessive behavior roils my head like nothing else.
Aaaagghh....been one of those days...
Captain - yes! I know she cant help it, but the fixating can really drive me crazy sometimes. What a neat idea using a sapling for a handrail! Bet it looks awesome! How'd you finish it? Did you strip the bark or leave it on?
I had no idea this was dementia activity. It makes sense, now, after reading your post. Your post and some other recent "clues" make me realize its time to have my father's cognitive abilities assessed before I go any further in making any future plans for him.
It's an every activity she goes through and it keeps her mind busy.