A new development with my mother (94) who lives with me. She now lets the water run and run when she cleans up. Last week had a leak in my ceiling because water was coming down from her bathroom upstairs. Got a plumber to get it fixed. I asked my mother not to keep the water running so long but as usual she gets so angry at me and brings up all kinds of issues. She rants and raves about me and I leave the room. Then there is the toilet paper issue. She uses it up like it was going out of style. I can't say anything about that either. I know there is no reasoning with her because you get nowhere. What can I do to manage this behavior? I noticed that this behavior usually happens in the morning.
She no longer wipes after ta trip to the bathroom. I have to watch and listen since she does not urn on the lights or flush.
Bathing has changed because we have a step in tub. She will use a large plastic cup to continually pour water over herself. She does not use the shower.
She will start and stop the sink washing her fingers, not her entire hands.
There is a good chance she will stop soon and then again maybe not. If not, it is because in her mind she is doing what is necessary. I just have to be alert and watch because she will walk away and leave the faucet running.
I can only suggest you keep on doing what you are doing and maybe there is a Teepa Snow video you can watch and learn from.
I think she so worried about clogging the pipes, maybe from early memory of my dad getting upset in their old home about clogged toilet. ug
sometimes when I want my mom to follow directions. I make a note in BLOCK LETTERS and add smiley face, sign with my name and tape it close by. I know this makes my mom mad when I do this - - but sometimes it works.
Not to mention all the Kleenex we found in the leg of the coffee table (another mystery)
My advice about the excess water usage is to put an low flow aerator on the sinks/tubs that she uses.