Another dementia dilemma is that many dementia patients have different “personalities”. In some cases the dementia patient forgets people and past events.
In my case there are two main personalities, and I never know who I will encounter when I wake up in the morning. The Dr. Jekyll personality is a mildly grumpy, dad-joke telling senior that is essentially harmless to those around him.
Mr. Hyde, on the other hand, is cruel and vindictive and his purpose seems to be hurt everyone around him. He is crude, loud, vulgar and he loves to “hit below the belt.” My mother and I warn each other if Mr. Hyde is paying us a visit.
I had an encounter with a different personality the other morning. Let’s call him Mr. Inappropriate. Mr. Inappropriate, as the name suggests, acts inappropriately. Making jokes that are sexual in nature, grabby hands and sexual comments in general. Not appropriate things for a father to say to a daughter, even an adult daughter.
Because if I voice my feelings of discomfort regarding a joke or comment, I am being a prude. And there is a good chance if I appear to be opposed to something he is saying or doing that Mr. Hyde may pay us a visit. And no one in the house wants that.
