I was shocked one day to realize this was the instruction I was giving John’s caregivers.
They had just reported that wherever he went John was taking things. His stash included nail clippers, books, silverware and other small items. This was the dementia acting and I didn’t want to punish John by confining him to the house.
We agreed to return items or go back and pay for them. Outings continued. John was never embarrassed or corrected. Restaurant and store managers couldn’t have been nicer.
We found a way to keep his dignity and his honesty intact.