October 2, 2013
-
Is There Anybody Out There?
There’s some odd things happening in my condo. A couple of weeks ago, in the wee hours of the night, I heard creaking sounds. I tell myself it’s the temperature change that’s causing the hardwood floors to creak. But this time it sounded as if there was someone walking inside my unit. I got out of bed and looked around my unit. There wasn’t anyone of course. But a couple of my kitchen cupboards doors were opened. Hmm…. I have left them opened before but I had no idea if I left them opened that night. Needless to say, I left the lights on when I went back to bed.
A few nights ago, I was washing dishes when I heard a loud noise behind me. A box of plastic food containers fell and spilled open. This box has been sitting on top of a case of water for months. The only way it could have fallen if someone walked by it and caught the edge of the box with their foot. I’m sure there is a logical explanation but I haven’t figured it out yet.
Strange…
Update on my dad: He’s not doing that well. He got a bit violent, pushing the personal support worker, swearing and throwing things. I had to keep calm when I talked to him. The doctor at the hospital told us that when the dementia gets worse, some of the patient’s fears and behaviours gets exaggerated. If the patient was a cautious and suspicious type of person, that behaviour might become dominant. In my dad’s case, he is a solitary figure. He just kept telling us “leave me the f*ck alone!”. I know something is bothering him but I couldn’t get it out from him or he wasn’t able to express it which made him even more frustrated. The home care is still best for him now despite all the challenges.
Comments (28)
Could there have been a small earthquake recently? Not sure where you are, but we’ve had quite a bit more wind than we had for a while — could your gremlins just be the wind?
Sometimes it’s the frustration that turns to anger as dementia patients progress through their illness. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that with your dad — but when he gets past that phase, he’ll be much happier.
No earthquakes here recently. He is frustrated with his limitations now – both physically and mentally.
Ooh! I always think of temps, “house settling”, wind, earth-trembling, etc. But, then I think of a spirit. I’ve only had 2 instances when I couldn’t explain what happened…and I’ve wondered if a spirit was in the room with me.
I’m sorry things are so difficult for your Dad.
And because he is unsettled and struggling it’s hard on you, too. 
I know you will keep loving him and being patient with him.
I hope it’s just a phase and he will get beyond it soon and can experience joy.
It must be scary for him to be going through all of this.
Prayers and HUGS!
I hope it’s a phase but he realizes his own limitations and where he is in life. It is difficult for him to accept. Thanks for the prayers and hugs.
Good on you, Matt, for being there for your dad. Does this mean your dad really wants to be left alone, or is it the dementia that’s exaggerating it and your dad wants you and the support worker to still be there?
Regarding the mysterious movements in your house. Maybe it’s a rat.
No rats in my condo…
He wanted to be left alone and be allowed to sleep in his reclining chair. But he needs to sleep in his bed so we can put the rails up. His feet and arms also need to be raised to reduce the swelling. He hates not being able to move around on his own or doing things by himself.
strange things happen…perhaps your Mom was checking on you…perhaps the house is settling..perhaps there was an earth tremor…perhaps it was a rat, a big one with heavy feet
Prayers for your Dad and for you all. It must be so difficult for everyone. Keep being calm, imagine how hard it would be if you weren’t.
Maybe it was mom… and she was shocked at how messy my place is!
Thank you for the prayers.
Hmmm…. house settling… or maybe an animal playing a trick on you. But I know what you mean; weird things have happened before, like how I heard my bedroom door open in the middle of the night and then slammed shut.
If that happened in my place I would have screamed. Did you just roll over and go back to sleep?
Is there any way for someone to get inside your unit when the main entrance is shut? Sorry to hear about your dad, inner fears and anxieties do have a way of taking over in that situation.
No – I have a deadbolt and chain and everything was still secure. You’re right about the inner fears and anxieties – they do take over. He has to be reassured a lot.
Actually Matt, there may be ghosts in your unit.
Does dad have some Haldol prescribed for him? that usually works wonders when patients are frustrated and become belligerent.
Actually I am kidding about the ghosts. There has to be some explanation.
I wish the ghost would do some of the chores.
He doesn’t have Haldol prescribed. Thankfully he’s only lost his temper twice since he came home. I’m more worried about his heart and potential bone pain from the cancer. Dad is a lousy patient. He never tells the doctors anything until it’s too late.
That’s rough with your Dad. I’m afraid that’s the way my grandfather will be since dementia runs in our family and he’s also the solitary type.
Maybe there aren’t actually sounds? For a couple days, I was waking up with “sounds” that I was sure I heard: a baby crying, my mom saying my name, and a knock on the door. I was still sleepy, so I’m sure that I “dreamed” them as a way for part of my brain to tell the rest of me to wake up. But, even if it’s not the spirit of your mother–it still might be helpful to think about she would do if she were around. Imaginations are useful like that.
I don’t know if there have been any other cases of dementia in our family. I don’t know what I would do if I was diagnosed with it.
when I saw the title I thought this was about Xanga
It could well describe how quiet Xanga has been.
I skip the first two paragraphs as i can scared myself silly easy. Lol.
It must be frustrating dealing with a parent with onset of dementia. My mom said curry can help to avoid dementia, she ate that once a week and she has better memory than me. Wonder if your dad would eat curry dishes?
I don’t think my dad likes curry (too spicy). I’ll check again and see if he can handle a lighter taste of curry.
If I ever meet you in real life, I will just tell scary stories to you.
sorry to hear about your dad’s behavior. i think he is just taking it out on people for he is frustrated with his own condition. i’m sure he doesn’t like the idea of needing care and can no longer be independent.
as for your house, i think there’s a mouse or rat lurking around. time for a house cleaning. when was the last time you had one? seriously.
I don’t think I have rats / mice in my building (condo apt). Dad’s been very independent kind of guy and likes to do his own things his way. So this is very humbling and frustrating for him.
I just wanted you to know I haven’t forgotten you. Every day when I pray, I pray for you and I pray for your Dad.
HUGS!
Thank you very much.
I’m here
Thank you.
We are experiencing the early onset of these same symptoms with my dad. He is usually pretty good but he has more and more emotional outbursts, which he never had before. Still he keeps trying to stay useful and keep busy, even though his heart and lungs and mind are getting weaker. We must keep our dads in our prayers.
Yes, let’s keep both our dads in our prayer. Thank you for dropping by. I hope you and your family will stay strong during these difficult times.