I’ve been trying to come to terms with what Harm Reduction can look like in the context of taking care of my mom with dementia. In an ideal world she would have full time care or a safe place to live with others but we are constrained by money, a small and distant family, and by housing so we are making the best of what we do have.
Dinner time is the most difficult for her, and the part of the day mom needs the most support. Recently, several times, she set the oven to broil instead of 350° (they are across from each other, and she was having difficulty seeing where the knob was pointed). Her dinner burnt a little but no big harm.
Realizing this, I made a red arrow on the knob which seems to have resolved the issue for now – no broiling since. I also watch the cameras as she warms up her meals and can see if the stove is turned off for the night as she heads to bed.
The goal right now is to keep her as safe as I can given the limited resources, and when the time comes, we will increase the care she receives.
Sandwiched 