Do you ever walk out of a room only to walk back in and have your Dad, with dementia, staring at you?

My inlaws live with us..my mil has been a quad since 1986..she has developed dementia over the last 2 years, and she can be quite sharp with her tongue now, but the thing that she does that has me hiding in my bedroom is staring..she follows my every move, and pulls her motorized wheel chair up to me and stares at me if I'm in the kitchen..I literally get the heebie jeebies when I hear the click-click of her wheelchair..

My mom tries to throw me out of my own house probably one night per month and has hollered both of us out of a dead sleep to do so (nothing makes me angrier). Very very difficult not to respond in anger but I'm getting better at it. I sure don't sleep as soundly since I moved her in with me. I just keep telling myself this period of time will not last forever, though sometimes it sure seems so. Some days, I still let go and tell her exactly how I feel and just don't care what she thinks. Took me 20 minutes this morning to find the basket for the coffee. Maddening, I hate her in my kitchen. Anyway, she forgets our harsh words (I guess, who knows) and we go on, but man, it can feel so ugly.

Yes. Dementia can be the cause of this and their mind wanders elsewhere or loses track. My mom has drifted off on occasion where she stares off into space or stares right thru me and it is obvious she doesn't know who I am for a few minutes. She will accuse me of being a stranger or go off on me about stealing or gas lighting her, etc. It was scary and disconcerting but then I just let her be or bring her a drink and snack and she snaps out of it.

I too no longer sleep over at my moms because I'm afraid she will mistake me for an intruder and attack me. I stay at a nearby hotel and just tell her I have to use the internet for work.

She and I both rest better that way.

Only you can gauge if he didn't recognize who you were or was in an agitated state and was irrational with you for the moment. Just know that can be normal behavior with dementia and ALZ.

Yes, except mine seems to be glued to the t.v. standing up and doesn't move. If it is only a stare, ask him if he needs something. Stealing issues is a very common delusion with dementia. Just let it roll off your back and do the best you can.

We have my mom living with us - she loves sleeping in the same room with us. We have not had this issue and I doubt we will - it is a matter of habit and familiarity. If she is accustomed to you being there it is different that if you are just dropping in for a night every now and then.

helpful* too

You might find some gelpful information here:
thedevotedheart/what-everyone-ought-to-know-about-dementia-and-behavior/

Are you telling us Dad puts you to the ground accusing you of things? Or, are you asking if this could happen?

If it hasn't happened, it is possible. People with dementia can sometimes get physical, but it's hard to say. If it already has happened, then you need to think about this pretty seriously, because it will not be the end of it.

And, as for accusations, you'll probably hear more. As others have said, when someone has dementia, it is not uncommon for them to forget who you are. Sometimes, they think you're a friendly stranger; other times, a dangerous stranger. And it can switch pretty quickly, so you can be some friendly stranger they're having a nice time with, you leave the room, and when you return they think you're there to steal their money -- they've forgotten the last bit of time with you that quickly.

When they have dementia this is not uncommon for them to turn on a dime. Sometimes it is time for their meds or just the opposite the meds may have them in this state. But it is neither one of your faults when things like this happen, it is all part of the disease. They can be so happy go lucky one moment and two minutes later they are incoherent and full of rage. When this happens walk away for 10 minutes or so and try to re-enter the room, most times their anger has passed and they are co-operative again. If this continues to happen the I would talk with his Dr. and have his meds re-assessed as they may be working against him or they need to be changed up. Hang in there as it is difficult all you can do is try other approaches, a soft gentle voice can sometimes bring them around. Hope things get better for you.

I quit sleeping on my mother's couch when around 1:00 a.m. one night I awoke with the light on and her standing over me staring at me like "Who are you and Why are you sleeping on my couch?" I live two hours away and don't always go home after our visit so mom's couch was just convenient. "Was" is the operative word. She so totally freaked me out that I swore I'd never stay on her couch again. I either sleep at the local Motel 6 or at a friend's house.
It's just one day she might forget who I am and come at me with a weaponized rolling pin.

Sami, I think the time has come for the professionals to take over. Call his doctor and discuss care options.

Actually, I was 17 and he said " If you walk out that door don't ever come back" and I replied " You got a deal"... It really doesn't matter what age you are, you just get up and go when it gets physical.