My Mom has dementia she has to have me in her sights or she panics what do I do?

Your mom is overcome by fear because of her memory loss. You "anchor" her. She likely could be helped with some anxiety medication. Please take her to a doctor for a good checkup, if it's been awhile. Otherwise, contact her doctor and see if medication can help her with the fear. Fear is a part of Alzheimer's, so don't blame yourself, and don't epect it to go away. But maybe medication will help her some.

Take care,

Carol

Hi Sandcastle53

Because you Mom's memory is affected by Alzheimer's disease the usual behavioral techniques do not necessarily work. However, I do think it is worth trying this very simple technique. It may be that you can avoid giving her medication.

Based on the principle of  reassurance and structure try this;

Before you leave the room

1) Tell her what you are going to do- e.g. ‘I am going to do the laundry', ‘I am

going to make a coffee'

2) Tell her where you will be- e.g. ‘I am going into the kitchen', ‘I am going to the garden'

3) How long it will take-‘I will be 5 minutes'

Use very simple sentences

Tell her in a calm, soft voice

Try distraction- give her a simple task to do-dusting, looking at photos, give her some food or drink, an activity you know she enjoys, while you are out of the room.

On your return to the room reassure her and praise her-something simple-‘well done'

You will find that this is probably a phase she is going through and as the dementia progresses it will change. Sometimes this depends on her pre-morbid personality (her personality before she got Alzheimer's.

It is worth a go and you will need to do it for a few weeks to establish a routine/pattern of behavior

Good luck, I know this type of behavior is very stressful for caregivers

Please tell me how you get on

Christine