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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA paranoid elderly lady
This past week, my wife has helping an older lady while she is sick, by taking her dog to to a dog play area (along with our dog).
The senior lady is doing very well for herself (her husband died some years ago), and since then she's been investing in stocks, and owns several properties.
My wife said the lady is nice and she enjoys talking to her; but out of the blue, the lady will suddenly start talking about how people are stealing thousands of dollars from her: for example, her children; and tonight she said another old lady (who is also at the dog play area), stole $300,000 from her by intercepting an electronic check and cashing it herself.
Is this a sign of an illness? It sounds like it to me.
Skittles
(153,193 posts)Caliman73
(11,744 posts)The behavior may be psychiatric or aging related. People with different types of dementia may exhibit symptoms of paranoia as well. If she is saying that her children are stealing from her it may be worth a look anyway.
I have seen both situations unfold where people were actually stealing money from their relative, and where the senior was beginning to decline because of dementia. In either situation the woman may need protection, from others or from herself.
APS is typically non intrusive, voluntary, and confidentiality is protected on both sides (Reporter/Alleged Victim). Your wife can even make an anonymous report where she does not give her name.
C Moon
(12,221 posts)womanofthehills
(8,761 posts)When she gave birth to me she had a stroke and my dad said that changed her personality but over the yrs her paranoia grew. My mom was pretty rational outside of the paranoia. It could be damage to a certain part of her brain.
One time I went to get a spoon out of my mom's kitchen drawer and she pulled my hand away saying what was I doing in her drawer. "Getting a spoon" I said. She told me next time to ask and not go in any of her drawers.
C Moon
(12,221 posts)Gabi Hayes
(28,795 posts)bdjhawk
(420 posts)as a form of witness when she goes into the woman's home so she doesn't become the next one accused. Have seen this happen to some well meaning, kind people who just wanted to help.
C Moon
(12,221 posts)A witness is a good idea.
politicat
(9,808 posts)(And middle, and late. It was kind of exhausting, and I had to be careful what clothes I wore around her. Anything she didn't recognize, she accused me of buying with her money.)
I think it's slightly more common in vascular dementia, but vascular (caused by blocked arteries restricting oxygen to the brain) is also slightly more common, so that may be statistical noise.
Your spouse should not be alone with her, and that lady really should have an ultrasound on her neck and consult a neurologist. But one of the major symptoms of dementia is a total inability to recognize cognitive issues, so... protect yourselves.
C Moon
(12,221 posts)I don't know why she's not well enough to take her dogs to the park, but I will find out more before my wife goes back.
QC
(26,371 posts)so there could be something to this, or, of course, she could be crazy.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,214 posts)People steal from the elderly all the time.
betsuni
(25,618 posts)Sometimes she couldn't find something and call my husband to ask if I took it. Once it was her nail clippers. Later she insisted people were coming into her house and stealing food and money. Once she had been sitting at the kitchen table with her bank book and wallet and after she'd come back from another room they were gone. Since the doors and windows were locked, she decided it was ghosts.
C Moon
(12,221 posts)I mean the lady I'm speaking of, not your mother in law.
Thanks.
enough
(13,262 posts)My father believed that Vanguard was stealing his mutual funds. Anything that got lost had been "stolen" by somebody, and sometimes even things he never had were stolen.
On the other hand, there are cases when people do take advantage of elderly people in serious ways. Either way, she needs help.