Follow
Share

It makes her friends tired. I am afraid that will stop visiting her.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
You might try having music on low volume in the background. Sans that or verbal distraction, not sure what else you might do.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report

I feel sad, my mom wasn't verbal near the end and what i would have done to hear her hum 😔 again
Helpful Answer (6)
Report

I hum when I'm happy! I try not to do it when people are around because I know I look nuts when I do it.
I found myself singing (very very quietly) in the grocery store because they were playing 80s music that I used to listen to as a teenager and it was just cool! All they needed was fog and some strobe lights. :-D

People hum for all kinds of reasons. Dementia humming or verbalization like humming is a tick or a stim (when autistic kids do it). Sometimes anti-anxiety meds can help with it. It's not musical humming to a tune but just a very repetitive almost monotone noise.

It's not the same thing as humming a song to yourself because you've gotten used to being by yourself or that great showtune is on in the store muzak. :-)
Helpful Answer (6)
Report

Sadly, humming will probably not stop until the part of her brain that allows that action no longer functions. She has no control over it. It's a tick.

You'll have to get creative to find ways to distract yourself. You will have to explain to her friends this is part of life with dementia, and their visits are so good for her. Please don't stop visiting over this.

It's these kinds of things that make dementia care so difficult, so you really do have all our sympathies.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

My MIL hums all day too. She had her brother to stay and he does it as well.
When he left she said, "I love him to bits but he drove me nuts with his humming."
Bless her, we nearly choked trying not to laugh, she has no idea.

I like the idea of giving her something to suck, I will try mints or pastilles. My Mum does't hum but she will be getting a packet as well.

Lucyboo, you/autocorrect gave me the best laugh I've had in ages.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

Sendme2help I think thats good sometimes, but with my mil and with the questioner, when it's constant and you have to run a home for your family as well as caregiver it can be unnerving. I just had an aha! moment with your comment about the anxiety thing. Sometimes I have noticed she starts whistling when she thinks she has said something dumb or has asked a dumb question. I will try to be more patient and kinder when she does. Thanks. :)
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

Sandwich42plus (interesting moniker), I'm glad you piped in about singing in the stores because I do it too when they finally play something I recognize from my youth. Sometimes I find myself swaying to it (if I'm alone in the aisle). Once they were running an advertisement in the background and the announcer asked, "Are you ready?" I was just thinking about leaving the store, so I answered out-loud to myself "I guess so" and a man nearby chuckled and smiled at me. Guess he was semi-consciously listening, too. I smiled back; we both got the joke. When I find myself irritated by little things like someone humming or a neighbor who whistles all the time, I remind myself how bad things could really be and I count my blessings.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

I don't think humming is that big of an problem... If she has music in her head, consider that a good thing. Maybe play a radio softly in the background so she has something to hum along with. I hum all the time and I'm not even aware of it - I just always have music in my head. Makes me happy. Let your mum be happy.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Take this opportunity to ask her, what is that tune? Can we sing it out loud?
Or,
Humming, lip smacking, fidegeting can all be signs of anxiety; a side effect of medication that can be changed; or something else the doctor can address.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Elle52 have NO fear of talking to Yourself, as I do it too. It's what I call thinking out loud. I'm pretty sure many People do as well. I'm certain that I talk to Myself out of loneliness, as I live alone with My Por Mom Who's at stage 6 Alzheimer's, and I'm a full time Carer to Mom.
I have not come across humming yet, but isn't that what some People do when They are feeling happy ?
My own Mother wears false teeth top, and bottom, and very often rattles them, which churns My stomach and gives My a sick feeling, but I would never draw attension to this, as it's probably just a passing thing.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter