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i currently take care of my grandmother and she has been taking out perishable items and leaving them out for long periods and then putting them back, or feeding the brand new grocery’s to the dog. I have ordered a fridge lock as well as bought a mini fridge only filled with non perishable snack and food items. She had 24/7 access to food but she is going to be quite upset when I lock the fridge. Has anyone delt with this before?

There are children locks for cabinets. Hopefully she won't figure them out.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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While I haven't dealt with this before, I think your solutions are EXCELLENT. Her own private fridge with snack options is wonderful while you main fridge remains inaccessible. I am wondering what, however, you are doing about groceries in the cabinet that granny would like to give to the dog? I would be the dog will soon suffer from obesity, which really is a cruelty to pets.

I am wondering if this fridge thing is but the tip of an iceberg, with a whole lot more under the surface? It may be coming time that you can no longer have granny safely in the home given her poor choices and strange behavior.

Remember, as a new member, filling in your profile for us, and giving us all the information you can will get you the best and most complete answers.

Sure wish you, grandmother, and the dog good luck!
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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IF she gets upset you can either redirect her or distract her to get her mind off the topic ("Look! What's that bird I just saw" and point your finger out the window so she looks away). Or, just walk out of the room as if she said nothing. If she has memory impairment she won't remember you did this anyway. Or, open up the mini fridge and say, "Look at all this great food that's in here! Let's check it out...What would you like right now?"

As others have correctly pointed out, it will be 100% unproductive to engage in any discussion about the lock with her.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Grandma isn’t changing except to get worse, sadly. Stay out of the line of fire for her anger, no one deserves that, no matter the cause. I hope you have help and it isn’t only you providing care. Know when it gets to be too much it’s okay to admit it and choose a new plan
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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Don’t react to her being angry or ‘having a fit’. Just tell her that the alternative is a nursing home, where they will feed her with no problems. It might be worth checking out Meals on Wheels, for when you can't be there to supervise a meal.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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No, but it’s important to remember that you cannot reason with someone whose brain is broken. It won’t do a bit of good to argue with her.

If she lives alone, she shouldn’t. If you live with her, you need to explore other options for her care. She shouldn’t be alone because other behaviors will soon begin, and dealing with them will be harder than putting a lock on the fridge.

I wish you luck in dealing with her issues.
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Reply to Fawnby
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