"Excuse me. Are you going to pay for that?"

 

One of the most expense of doing business is shoplifting. It happens every where by the poor and the rich and everyone in between. Today we are going to look at Shoplifiting from a dementia point of view share with me by a friend of mine who is also on the Alzheimer's  Road.

Shoplifting. We all know this occurs. That is one of the reasons we pay such an enormous price for the things we buy. 

 Stores always factor in their loss, and pass it on to us, the consumer. Is it right?. Probably not, but that's what happens. 

 I have read and talked to many caregivers/family members who nonchalantly talk of their loved one picking things up in a store. 

 They talk as if it's nothing more then an inconvenience. Here, once again is the truth. 

 Shoplifting is a crime. It's stealing. Being in law enforcement for years, I can tell you from experience that I never once arrested someone for shoplifting in a store and dropped the charges because of some underlined issue, such as dementia.

 The truth is, you...the caregiver are in charge of or responsible for your loved ones actions. That doesn't mean if they shoplift an item, you will be charged.

 What it means is, they will be charged, they will be prosecuted, and they excuse of they have dementia will simply not fly. 

 How does one stop this, their loved one from stealing? That is the question. Watching them like a hawk is one. Checking every pocket before you check out is another. 

 And in dire cases, simply do not take them into the store. Period. I listen as people try to justify why their loved one does such things. It's always the same. "They do not realize they are doing something that is against the law".

 This again won't fly in a court of law. Ignorance no matter for what reason is not a defense. If you are having problems with your loved one, if you know they have stolen things in the past...don't shrug this off. 

 When you go to a store. Find the store manager. Explain the situation to them. If you go there regularly, this will only take a time or two. You are not saying that what they are doing should be overlooked. 

 What you are doing by alerting the managers is heading off a huge problem should they be seen on a CCTV stealing something. 

 Face it. You cannot watch them every second you are in a store. It just isn't plausible. So what you do is set them up for success. Chances are you will not change this habit they have. 

 And there is no doubt that they have no idea what they are doing is illegal. But again, ignorance is not a defense. Head this problem off before you find yourself in a compromising position that could have been simply enough avoided. 

 Have a plan, as we always say. Then have another. Chances are the first one won't work...