When your parents raised you chances are they were not always popular with you. They made decisions you did not agree with but it was usually in your best interest. If you have raised children you have most likely experienced that same thing.
If you parent is in good mental health they certainly do not need you telling them what to do. But if your parent is suffering from dementia it is time to step up to the plate. Someone needs to be the bad guy. Who has the courage.?
When my mother in law refused to quit driving on her own I knew it was time to step in. Her dementia was progressing even though most of the family refused to recognize it. It was simply no longer safe so I called the caregiver and asked her to hide the car keys.
Pat suspected that I was the culprit and called me on it. " Are you that she devil that took my keys away she cried!" I replied "Yes mam I am" "Oh", she said, "well I wanted to drive." To which I replied, I don't think it is safe honey. " You're probably right" she said softly.
That was it. The subject never came up again. Sometimes we are so afraid that our parent will be mad that we are afraid to do the right thing. When a parent has dementia they are counting on you to do the right thing. Step up to the plate.It's about doing what's right not being popular!
If you parent is in good mental health they certainly do not need you telling them what to do. But if your parent is suffering from dementia it is time to step up to the plate. Someone needs to be the bad guy. Who has the courage.?
When my mother in law refused to quit driving on her own I knew it was time to step in. Her dementia was progressing even though most of the family refused to recognize it. It was simply no longer safe so I called the caregiver and asked her to hide the car keys.
Pat suspected that I was the culprit and called me on it. " Are you that she devil that took my keys away she cried!" I replied "Yes mam I am" "Oh", she said, "well I wanted to drive." To which I replied, I don't think it is safe honey. " You're probably right" she said softly.
That was it. The subject never came up again. Sometimes we are so afraid that our parent will be mad that we are afraid to do the right thing. When a parent has dementia they are counting on you to do the right thing. Step up to the plate.It's about doing what's right not being popular!
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