Follow
Share

Recently I have been struggling with myself when I want to call my mom in the nursing home. My mom has Alzheimers/dementia and when I call her she has trouble speaking and of course remembering things. She often get really nervous and upset. I always hear noises in the background. It seems all of this upsets my mom and therefore I feel like my calls are more harm than good. I know my mom wants to talk to me, but it seems we can't have a successful conversation due to all the aforementioned. What should I do..,,, not call....?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
I do not attempt to call. Mother cannot hear, so it is an exercise in frustration. I send small gifts every week and pictures.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

If it was me (my mom doesn't have Alzheimers, but has no short-term memory) if you can't see her in person, I'd just make my calls to mom very short and more talking on your end, with short sentences. Like, "Hi mom, this is Ann, your daughter. I wanted to say I love you and I hope you have a good day. It's sunny here. I hope it is sunny for you today too." Don't ask her any kind of memory question (what did you do today or what did you have for lunch). Or questions that she has to think about the past to answer. So "Do you feel OK" might work, but "how are you feeling" requires more thought on her part. And she may not be able to put those thoughts together.

I noticed when I called my brother from my mom's house (I put him on speaker phone) he talked waaaaay too fast for my mom to be able to process. I told him to sl-o-w-w-w-w-w down and to SPEAK UP. He felt very uncomfortable doing that, but that's what it takes for our mom to be able to hear and process what we say.

I'm sure you'll get other good answers. I know this isn't easy for either of you.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Are you close enough to visit in person? That may be a better option. Perhaps you can call when another family member is with your Mom. That way she can be prepared. I used to watch the residents in my Mom's memory care when they got phone calls. I think they found it confusing. I guess it depends upon the stage, etc.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

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