Dad is plugging the toilet. What can we do?

We’ve started regulating the amount of toilet paper available to him. Sometimes he complains, sometimes he doesn’t. Last night he tried to get a pile of napkins off table in kitchen to hoard. The napkins, Kleenex, and paper towels now have to be hidden, overnight for sure! Somehow he found a spare roll of tp that he had hidden in one of his drawers, but I got that away, too! He used to be so conservative with the toilet paper. Hopefully he will eventually go back to that. I think this all started when caregivers were using a cream on his bottom because he was getting red and sore looking. We think that the cream felt wet, so he was continually wiping till it was all wiped off.

So, are you saying that he does have dementia? In that case, I'd think that from now on, he needs supervision when he goes to the bathroom, every time.

Thanks for the ideas! We have thought about most of them and have started limiting the paper. He does take Ativan which helps with anxiety. The biggest problem is he always thinks he’s wet. I’ve told other family members and caregivers that I would rather clean him up that the bathroom overflow. We did take the lock off the door so he doesn’t lock himself in. Getting ready for my 3 overnight shifts. 

I'd get him to his doctor to figure out what's causing this. I'd ask about treatment for anxiety.  He may be obsessing or having too much anxiety. I'd rule out problems with his bowels as well.

 I would supervise his bathroom needs, especially, if you limit the paper.  I have a couple of friends who had parents with bathroom issues and it got really bad. They had to hire professional cleaners to clean up the apt. They smeared on the walls, counter tops, etc.  No reason, just their cognitive decline. They didn't know why they did it. 

Has he been showing any other odd behavior?

Consider purchasing RV toilet paper. It dissolves easier and doesn't clog.

Three ideas:

-Remove the extra TP, and limit the amount available.
-Disconnect the flushing mechanism. If he is likely to be able to reconnect it then take the chain or the handle away completely.
-Invest in a bidet toilet seat (if you haven't heard of them you can check it out on youtube), no TP needed there at all.