My 84-year-old mother understands everything, but she can't seem to speak anything other than "yes" or "no". Can anyone help?

Mar 17, 2010

Hi! Does your Mom have aphasia? I would personally speak with a neurologist if there is anything to correct this problem if you think it possibly is neurological....

Good luck~

Hap

AlzCaregiver

Mar 17, 2010

I'm usually happy to get a yes/no out of her. She does say words like "delicious," "cute," and "Come get some peanuts, honey" when she feeds the squirrels. Cept she says another word similar to peanuts.

Choices are another problem. I give her two choices for where to eat breakfast, and she answers "yes," just like the scene in "Rainman."

Hope you make some progress. I keep hoping a change of meds or ?? will bring some improvement, as it has so many times before.

BettysGirl

Mar 20, 2010

We have the same issue with my 87 year old mother. She says "good" and actually said, clearly, "I want to go home" when she was visiting my sister (away from my home), but the majority of her speech is garbled and unintelligible. Very hard and sad. I have to think for BOTH of us, and ask questions that have YES or NO answers. It takes longer to formulate questions, but worth it. And I don't ask or say more than one thing at a time. She's already adapted to SO MUCH; how can I but do the same? Take good care of yourself, and bless you.

NancyH

Mar 20, 2010

I get my mother-in-law in the car with me, and she talks the whole time. Luckily I'm used to it having raised a son with ADHD who talked constantly non-stop (still does). Point is, I guess it's all relative! (pun intended). ha

dm120900

Mar 21, 2010

My mother has aphasia as well and has lost the ability to speak. She can write most of her needs but is beginning to lost that ability. It is heart breaking

Eddie

Mar 21, 2010

MIKULAI:

There are many many reasons a person would choose to become mute. The most common would be that person feels that they are being devalued. If she feels like her power is being taken away from her, refusing to speak is one way to regain some control. It's important to approach her as you would like to be approached were you in her situation. She's a woman, with many years of experience, a wealth of knowledge, and endless well of stories and anecdotes. Treat her as such. Everyone needs friendship. Best wishes.

-- ED