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Hello,


My name is Ana and I am a caregiver now for a very special patient with dementia, I do want some suggestions, my client's dementia is declining since I start here. I work with her 3 months ago, I do cook, clean, take care of 3 cats and make sure the dog is safe. I do laundry and take her out everyday because she doesn’t like to stay home and it is important for her to have activities. The questions is: She walks her dog at least 12 times a day and my schedule is 7am into 10pm but she keep walking the dog after 10pm. I know because I do living in here, every time she walk her dog she feeds him and gives him treats, also her 3 cats. If I tell her something she gets very upset with me, my worry is they are been over fed and the dog now starts limping, he is an old dog and I am concerned about him. Besides taking care of her that it’s not easy, I am worrying about the dog and her specially after 10pm at night. She takes her house key and her phone always, now, she has dementia and I am scared one these days she will have a block and get lost. Her daughter does not want to take her dog away the other daughter do want to take the dog away. The cats and the dog having poop and vomiting all the time and I think is because of over feeding. Any ideas pleaseeee? Before I quit my job because it has been a lot? Also my patient knows I am her employee, she tells me all the time this her house, her dog and she do what she wants 😊, she never remembers what I do all day and when I sit for a little break she asks me why I am doing all the time if I say I am taking a little break she asks me from what? She reminds me every day that I work for her and I try to be very calm now it has not been easy . I am asking for suggestions on that as well . Thank you . Ana

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The over-feeding of pets is a common problem when someone has memory loss. If at all possible the pets should stay, but the food will need to be hidden and then rationed out to her. Maybe purchase low calorie food. On the other post the person said her mom with dementia started hoarding the dog food so you may need to check her room to make sure she doesn't do this. You can try putting a note right in the dog and cat bowls that say "Dog was fed at 8am, no more food until 5pm" and just see if it helps. People with memory problems and dementia don't care if you have "proof" of something...they often become paranoid and say people are lying or stealing the dog food. Maybe you can get her veterinarian to send a recorded message saying the pets are overweight and can only be fed X amount 2 times per day. You can play the video of it for her when she wants to feed them. You will need to try several things to see if any of them work.

I found some maybe helpful advice on an internet search: hide the dog food and and don't feed the dog "regularly". Instead, in the morning give your mom a baggie with 1/3 the day's portion of dog kibble for her to hand feed it (mixed with some carrots, broccoli, and other vet-approved raw veggies for better nutrition and variety). At noon give her the 2nd bag and at dinner the 3rd. It's more work but worth a try.

More importantly, the sisters (if they are the legal managers of your client's affairs) should know that their mom is leaving the house at night by herself. This is absolutely not safe but it is their responsibility to come up with a solution. Again, maybe a sister can write a large note that is put on the door where it can't be ignored (like on the doorknob) saying it's past 9am and it's not safe to be outside", it's about to rain or a storm is coming, etc. whatever it takes.
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