Tissue and toilet paper maniac. Anyone else?

also my mother-in-law used to always have a tissue in her hand,pocket, wherever. And you can talk to you are blue in the face, it won't do, will just have to deal with it or try to limit but talking won't face them if they have dementia or alzheimers.

I am a great toilet paper user, but 1000 sheets (1 roll) in one day is excessive. Limit her usage to bathroom needs and if you have to put out just some toilet paper for her to use, then do it. She is being obsessive about toilet paper probably because when she was young her family didn't have much. My husband was very poor when he was young and he goes to the other extreme of using one piece of paper to wipe with and I have seen the individual pieces in the toilet bowl. So have a talk with her and put an end to paper madness!

"OMG! Was just cursing tissue frizzles in my mother's wash again when I saw this post."
You haven't lived until you wash clothes that have depends in a pocket. They swell to the size of a basket ball and can't be pulled out.. Or better yet depends in the wash break and fill the wash with millions of little wet gooey beads.

OMG! Was just cursing tissue frizzles in my mother's wash again when I saw this post. Not sure where this one was hidden but it got past my thorough inspection. Again LOL Thought, too, it was Depression era quirk, but maybe not? Avoid panic attacks by keeping both tissues & tp well stocked. Paper napkins get used over & over as well. Thanks to all the helpful explanations & suggestions. Will keep them in mind when excess tp in the toilet becomes an issue, too. :P

My Mother is in Assisted Living and is constantly asking for toliet paper. I find it hidden in drawers there. She must think she's going to run out.

I think some of these obsessions come with the era they grew up in. I know my father has 4 boxes of kleenex in their living room, the only tp they flush would be for # 2. the rest is thrown in a garbage can beside the toilet. But I think the need to have so much around them may be due to the fact that they grew up in the recession era and for them to "have stuff" around them makes them feel fortunate and not "poor" again. I know there are numerous items tripled in my parents house (calendars, clocks, and note pads everywhere). Good luck to all of us as we also age and go thru our stages.

My mom is the opposite. She takes washcloths and re-uses them to wipe after urinating. Her bathroom stinks to high heaven. We keep trying to tell her, it's weird, it smells, it's unclean (risking infection, etc.)

Okay..same problem here with the kleenex. Every time she takes some, it's always "one for each nostril". lol When it runs, it is always clear runny liquid, like someone else mentioned. Sometimes we would see it running and have to tell her to wipe. She explained that she can't feel it running and it drives her crazy and it's so embarrassing to her! (That would bother me too, if I were in her place) That explains the constant wiping. The doctor put her on some prescription Clariton, which seems to help, as I don't SEE it running as much, but she doesn't think the problem went away....maybe it's a habit by now? She is 89 years old. When I first brought her to live with us, she would always let me know that she only uses one or two squares of TP when she goes, and I would tell her not to worry about it....use whatever it takes to get the job done! lol Now on the few times she forgets to flush, I can see that she uses more, but it just tells me that she feels more comfortable with us. I'm just glad she CAN still wipe herself, as I don't look forward to having to do it for her. Never thought about the possibility of fewer nose hairs...or a side affect of her meds. (She had a five way by-pass some time ago, so is taking some kind of heart med, too). She also uses oxygen 24/7, and some of her nurses have suggested that her oxygen may stimulate her nostrils and make it run? Just putting some ideas out there.

I never knew that this was an aspect of aging, but for my mother it was! She would use about a box of tissues a day because of a runny nose caused by one of her meds, and 1.5-2 rolls of toilet paper a day. And for her the cost was definitely a concern, but what could we do?...I used to stock up on tp for this reason. She's passed away and now there is a ton of tp in the house. Pretty sure I'm set for the next year! :)

So glad to see the runny nose 'problem'. When I take my dad out for a meal, he is forever wiping his nose at the table and it drives me dotty. I keep telling him to stop it, not knowing that it is common. I've got to a point where I don't sit with him in the better upmarket restaurants, but take him to fast food outlets when they have seating. This thread has been most helpful. Thank you to all.

I so agree with you. I worry about getting to the stage when I may possibly do the exact same thing. It is hard though. When we're young and have babies, we have the energy and expectation of having to change diapers and wipe snotty noses. When you've raised children especially when you've been on your own and working and then have to start that cycle again with a parent. Much harder when you're older and when he was a part-time parent.
That said, he was a fiercely independent man and it is hard to see him reduced to such strange behaviour.
All the very best to you :)

My Mom grew up in a poor family, and I believe that is why she does not use enough toilet tissue. She breaks it off at the first perforation, and often has a mess on her hands, When I give her paper she states that's too much, and folds it until it's small. I spend a lot on wet wipes and Lysol wipes. I have to clean everything she touches before she gets to the sink to wash her hands.

My MIL lives with as she uses more tissue then you can imagine. But she with sit and the toilet and fold the toilet paper square by square sometime uses it to wipe but leaves in on the tub or just folders it and leaves it I think that she forget what she was doing with it. She is 93 with dementia.

Litldogtoo: Think you may very well have hit the target with your explanation of gustatory rhinitis. describes the symptoms that I experence quite accurately. Think the lack of drinking enough may be exasrbateing the problem.

Litldogtoo: Thank you for the recommendations. The dribbling is not much of a problem, just a bit extra that comes out after urinating. While still on the commode. So just an extra wipe. Thank you for the comment re my age. I am only 65 but have had 4 live births... 3 miscarrages, & lost 1 twin early on while carrying the other to term. Don't need the Imodium... not a problem with incontanence... Again, not a reaction to any meds, RX or ovc as I do not take any. I remember quite a few snippets of Art Linkletters, will look up the other reference material mentioned. Again thank you.

12Wondering: Have you tried taking Imodium for the 'dribbling'. Perhaps a small amount would help, yet not bind you to a point where you aren't going. It may be something to talk about with your doctor. My mother has an upstairs neighbor who keeps telling us that the 'golden years aren't so golden'. And I've always remember Art Linkletter's book "Getting Old Isn't for Sissies". There's also a great book called 'Another Country Not My Own' by Mary Pipher that would help many of us caregivers. It is used in many classes now given in colleges to help understand the problems associated with the older generation. I am a firm believer in Geriatric Physicians. They know exactly how the older body works, they don't brush off symptoms as being from old age, and know how to adjust medications to help with many of the problems older people face, especially in the very elderly years (I don't believe you are there yet). For example, my mother is 91 and because of multiple, multiple problems she has experienced in her late 70s/80s, she has taken many medications which have kept her alive. However, medications affect all your body, and she is now being managed by adjusting the meds to least affect those organs. If you can find one in your area, they must be 'Board Certified' and have had fellowships. Not all doctors calling themselves geriatric physicians are geriatric physicians according to the new rules set out by the AMA. Please correct me if I'm wrong...I'm sure I've somehow explained this improperly, but it's at least 80 percent correct :)

I found this on Mayo Clinic's website: " For example, gustatory rhinitis is more common in older populations. Symptoms of this type of nonallergic rhinitis may be triggered by eating any food, and is an exaggeration of the runny nose that we all get when we eat spicy food. It is also more common for minor temperature changes to induce a runny nose in older adults.

In many older people, the sensation of postnasal drainage may be the result of nasal airway dehydration. This can be a side effect of medications for high blood pressure, sleep disorders and bladder problems, among others. Drinking too much coffee, tea or alcohol, or not drinking enough water is also more likely to produce nasal dehydration in older adults. Finally, in some people symptoms of certain kinds of gastroesophageal reflux may be mistakenly identified as postnasal drainage."

http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/for-successful-treatment-of-chronic-runny-nose-first-identify-underlying-cause

I think I may buy stock in tissue. :)

My father has started putting a reasonable amount of tissue out by the toilet for my mother. He has told her that is all she needs and that she should throw it in the garbage can nearby. It has helped.

debdaughter; thank you for the hug. in regard to the nose running. No I do not have any allergies, nor is it a reaction to any medication... I don't take any.
The tp wiping has to do with the fact that I am heaver than I was when I was when I was younger. Dribbling comes with age & multipule pregnancies. Just comes to us as we age. Someone mentioned the decrees of nose hair. Makes sense since the hair thins to the point of very little everywhere else. Just didn't think about it.

Things are not bad yet in my mom's case. She uses much TP in about a week and a half. She's into wrapping, using TP or a piece of garment. So I would find wrapped in her suitcase or in a draw or in a bag or under her mattress: a rag or an ornament, or a whatever. I think she uses them eventually, because I would find clean folded TP on the chest top, under her pillow, on her potty chair. I never commented as she seems to try to be "economical". With paper towels now, she would not use them, or a quarter or a half. What an ordeal some of you have. I am sorry for that. Be strong and p a t i e n t, although hard to be loving, their frontal lobe is impaired. Thousands of hugs to you all.

Being a senior citizen myself, your problem makes me sad. I'm sure one of my children may eventually have the same problem with me. The only advise I have is for you to understand the "circle of life". You had to wear diapers but you had someone to change you or help you. When your nose ran, you used a sleeve or whatever you could find. Your mother is not happy about her incontinence , as I am not either. However we try hard to hang on to our civility as long as we can. Have patience, young one and remember that what goes around comes around.

Well, I thought my Dad's toileting was bad....he uses only one sheet of paper, folded, then rinses it off in the sink, dribbles that water back to the toilet, over and over. Leaves poo on the facet handles. Can't get him to use enough TP or Kleenex. He puts TP in a pop-top trash can lined with anti order trash bags (Glad??). Then he has saved Kleenex by his chair, uses it over and over and over....Tears paper towels and napkins in half, and reuses. Blows his nose on cloth napkins when we visit my brothers home for dinner. heaven help us all.

Thank you all for posting about the tissue and toilet paper. At least I know I am not alone. It keeps me hopping to keep it all picked up. She has it stuffed everywhere. Mom just has an obsession with paper period. She will take a cracker paper or something "rattly" and fold and scrunch it for hours, but we usually get a hold of it before then. I know it is something to do, but so hard to ignore. Wondering if it is because she is hard of hearing. I asked her once why she was folding and rolling kleenex and she said "it's something to do". Glad to know we are NOT alone! Thanks for sharing!

I have bsc for mom at night and I put 6 or 7 Kleenex in a box at bedside, but sometimes she will go into bathroom also to get more tissue. Her nose runs constantly and it is side effect of Aricept, so I give her sinus pill occasionally.I left roll of tp at bedside one night and she used half the roll in the bsc.

Jeepers, from all the replies within 2 days I think we've found another common!! Question is , WHY? What is the fascination with toilet paper/tissue??

My mom hoards it everywhere...I empty her pockets before I do her laundry, if not, it's fuzball city on all clothes!! It's stuffed under her pillow, in her drawers, pant pockets , coat pockets, waste bin in the bathroom and yes, even the toilet (she doesn't know it flushes) Hmm....wonder why this fascination with tissue??

My mom does this SAME thing. She has tissues up each sleeve, in every pocket, piled high in her bedroom, etc. It's almost obsessive. I've simply asked her to please use the clean tissues she's already pulled from the box BEFORE she pulls any more out. I mean it is really expensive. Plus they get in the washing machine because they are hidden in every possible place in her clothes! I feel your pain.

I cannot believe I came across this! I thought my Mom was the only person ever to do this! Thank heavens I'm NOT by myself. I can't keep kleenex, Mom is into making bows or kites or flags with them. She will set up til midnight playing with tissues!........She folds toilet paper in little squares and carries it around everwhere and sets and holds it all the time. When she goes to the bathroom, she sets on the commode with one in each hand. I know that she has to get them mixed up and keeps the one she wipes with instead of flushing!!!..........I have paper towels stuck in everything. I find grocery bags with papers everywhere. Usually, her "snotty" kleenex.........She also has an obsession with rattling the newspapers and folding and sorting and RATTLING

My dad goes through both toilet and tissue paper. He rolls up the toilet paper in little balls and puts it all over the toilet and wraps food in tissues and so it goes on. He goes through a lot.

A moment ago I discovered ADW had not pulled up her depends and the foam pillow she was sitting on was soaked.

just bought the doughnut pillow $20.00 not how do I wash the foam rubber?

She has an ostomy and wears an appliance. Small PIA, thank goodness I don't have faeces to clean up. I now have to accompany her to the bathroom and supervise/coach her toileting. Never in my wildest imagination did foresee being a caregiver.Alzheimer's is a terrible affliction for both of us.
When the pouch is emptied the smell will take the paint off the walls. But is sure beats wiping her butt.

MIL used to go trough ton of tissue. Couldn't understand it till I reached a certain age myself. My nose always seems to run when ever I eat. Especiely anything that is hot. Also have found that as I have gotten older it takes 2-3 times of wiping my bum to get it clean. And you also have a tendency to dribble, so you rewipe.