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My father sexually abused me for 16 years of my life from an early age. He is now 90 and has dementia/Alzheimer's. He hasn't acted inappropriately toward me for 40 years. However, on a recent visit (he and my mom still live on their own), he touched me inappropriately, made lewd remarks to me and exposed himself to me. Each of these incidents took place while my mom wasn't in the room (just like it was when I was a child). While I thought I could handle it, emotionally I was taken back to a place I never wanted to revisit. I am unable to fine any research on the subject of sexual offenders and dementia. I called his neurologist and asked for a return call - nearly 2 weeks later I still haven't heard from him. I spoke with his Primary Care Dr. who said the medication he is taking for Parkinson's may increase his dopamine levels which in turn increase his libido. While I know that sexual aggression is common in people with dementia, I am extremely concerned about his behavior due to my history. I repeatedly told him his behavior was highly inappropriate and walked away, but I wanted to run as far away as I could get. I've warned my mother of the behavior and asked her to stay close to him when they are in public keeping her eyes and ears open - she may need to diffuse a situation. Worse - what if he actually touches someone or says something vulgar and they file criminal charges??? I am unnerved by these incidents. I need to assess their living situation on a quarterly basis (they are on the East Coast and I am in the Southwest). I do not think I can put myself in that vulnerable position again ....how do I handle this??

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Under the circumstances, I do not think you are over reacting. As a child you could not protect yourself. You can and should now. When you make your quarterly visits, refuse to be alone in a room with him. If your mother leaves the room, leave with her.

As for protecting other people and keeping him out of legal trouble, I don't think that is your responsibility. You have shared your concerns with your mother. I think it is up to her to deal with it.

Good luck to you!
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I really feel your situation there. I think you need to do what is best to keep yourself safe. you have alerted people to his possible behavior the rest is not your responsibility! Take care of yourself and never be alone with him again Period. That says something that he waited till you were alone. You owe him nothing, you make your own life safe and secure and just let those who have his full time care deal with what else may happen it is not your responsibility!
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Thank you all for your thoughts and your kind words. I am going to speak with a therapist tomorrow as I am not handling my feelings about this very well. Yes, it has triggered memories and I'm am feeling terribly anxious. I so appreciate your taking time to give me some feedback - I knew there were others out there in similar circumstances. Hugs to all ~Char
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I'm so sorry for you. I cannot even imagine how disturbing this would be normally, but especially after having dealt with it as a child!

The moment I saw this, I thought "YUCK." But, it sure isn't your fault and what an awful way for him to treat you. I don't blame you for wanting to see your therapist, that's exactly what I'd be doing.

I agree with the people who said, "take care of yourself."
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Stop going to see them. You put up with this long enough. I'm sure you feel bad for your father but it's your life...not his.
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I have just read all the posts and I have some questions as well. I have never been sexually abused THANK THE LORD. My husband has mild cognitive impairment/dementia. That is what the neurologist called it and gave me some literature to read. I know that after 4 yrs. he has gone downhill. Won't go back to any of his doctors so I am at a standstill trying to solve things on my own. I didn't realize that the sexual issue goes along with this as well as meds. My husband is 84 and is going through sexual issue (he says it's me and I am 70). After reading the original question and all the answers I have a better understanding of what is going on although the question was about sexual abuse not just sexual issues. I guess I have just been too embarrassed to ask about this and I know after all of these years we are in the same boat.
I would like to know what meds you folks are talking about so I might be able to address the issue with his PCP. He does not take any meds for the dementia. He does, however, have COPD, glucoma, and heartburn all the time which he "treats" with Pepcid or Prevacid, tums and the like. For his COPD he uses Spiriva, Advair, nebulizer and his rescue inhaler. For his glucoma he is using Xalatan. Would any of these meds have anything to do with this or maybe a combination of these?
I have friends who have been sexually abused as children and it isn't a nice thing to hear but some have been able to put it behind them and others it is still very much up front. I feel so sorry for all and I wish I could do something. I try and be a good listener and show a lot of love and support. God Bless.
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Patricia - I'm sorry your husband has dementia; it is a sad disease. My dad takes Sinemet for the Parkinson's, Zoloft for depression, Aricept and Namenda for the Alzheimer's. As my dad's primary care doctor said, prescription medicine is an art as there is really no way anyone can know how medications interact with one another. If they decrease the Sinemet, dad will most probably have more symptoms of the Parkinson's. It's a rough road, even with my being so far away. Best of luck to you.
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I can’t take it any longer. I was verbally and emotionally abused by my mother growing up. I was stuck in an impossible “crazy” environment with a mentally ill, sadistic woman. We have now suffered three years of living Hell due to her issues, family causing problems at every turn, with no end in site, caregiver disasters, etc., etc. on and on. One sibling disowned her, leaving all the harassment by nutcase relatives who are in denial “we don’t get Alzheimer’s in our family”, to the two of us who try our best to do the right thing at every turn with a difficult woman who can’t get along with many people. Due to her worsening condition, and health we recently moved her to a beautiful residential care facility with the best staff ever. She wants to go back home, and blames me when I come to visit. She threatens to kill herself, says terrible things to me, etc. She doesn’t spare a nasty word. Today, she pulled this in front of my son, who has anxiety issues! How much is one person supposed to take?
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exhauetd1, you did your best, you don't owe her anything, you owe it to yourself to be safe and not made to endure torment via family...Why do we have to tolerate abuse from people simply becasue they are family, if a stranger treated or mistreated us this way we'd file assault and battery charges get restraining orders or at least avoid them at all costs!?
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Hello Char...my heart goes out to you. I am so sorry that you suffered abuse as a child and as hard as I try I cannot buy into... in anyway making allowances for these people...but I know that when people are old and have alzheimer's, etc. they no longer can control or even begin to realize what they are doing and saying---all those hurtful things that break our hearts, wound our spirit and cause us so much emotional pain. I know I was afraid to sleep at night for fear my mother might hurt me while I slept... (I was the caregiver and she had alzheimer's). I know it is just awful to go through all these things ...but we do have to remember that it is the desease that is causing these things to happen. However...I do feel that you should remove yourself from this situation as much as possible and let the professionals handle it.... You take care of yourself dear....right now you need to put yourself first ...it is hard to heal the wounds of the past when you are being subjected to these things that bring back all the old memories. I think you are doing the right thing to get some help in dealing with it. Give yourself a big. As one woman to another...I am really proud of you! Hugs and Blessings ~Bobbi
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