Gloves, Wipes and Bleach (My Mom’s Alzheimer’s)

Photo by Anton on Unsplash

Some things you can’t un-see and some things you can’t forget. And here’s the kicker, no matter how unpleasant, how disturbing, you don’t want to forget, because if you forget it may mean that you too are losing your mind.

I have avoided writing about the grosser aspects of caring for a person with Alzheimer’s dementia for the sake of preserving the dignity of my mother. On the other hand it would be disingenuous of me not to mention that as the disease progresses, caregiving takes on many unpleasant turns.

My mother was legendary for her fastidiousness when it came to cleanliness and, in particular, hygiene.

But each time I walk into the rest room and am greeted by sights and smells that require a strong stomach, I am reminded of two things:

1. Never think you are so far above a problem that the weakness you see could never be yours; and
2. No matter how bad it is now, it could always be worse, so suck it up, get over yourself and correct the issue at hand.

Whether the doctor requests you collect a stool sample or one is gifted to you late at night; whether it’s an unflushed toilet whose smell announces itself when you walk in the room, used toilet paper stashed in various parts of the room, refusals of showers, or meds held under the tongue…