Alzheimer's Mom seems to talk non-stop. Any advice?

I visit a lot of people with dementia who have these anxious moments. The trouble is that they vary so much from person to person. I try to change the subject and find something else to talk about, because as you have probably worked out reassuring over end over again does not work it just keeps it in the fore front of their mind. How about putting some music on to sing along with from her past

Jeffrey, my mom is on Exelon patches and mirtazapine, which her neurologist put her on when she was getting up in the night and wandering. She doesn't show a lot of anxiety, more frustration, when she can't remember something or can't get something to work, but I feel stressed when she is stressed because I want to fix it, but I can't.

In my case, it's my dad who talks all the time. He doesn't have any form of dementia; he's just always been that way. It's hard for my mom to understand or remember what he says, because anything important was surrounded by a couple of hundred other words. We've tried to remind him to keep it short and sweet when talking with my mom, but were not going to change his personality now!

I personally have a hard time concentrating when it is noisy around me and have a low tolerance for noise levels. I work with students who have autism and we use the headphones you can buy at sporting good stores in the shooting section to cut down on the noise for them. Sometimes I use them too. Just thinking you might want to give them a try if the non-stop talking is getting on your nerves. You could still hear your mom if anything important is going on and it might give you more patience for the times you are directly interacting with your mom. Peace and good wishes!

My mother has been an anxious incessant talker for years, and when she began to take risperidone and remeron, there was a huge imrovement. She does not take any of the memory drugs, because she has declined them which is fine with us. I think if she had started them years ago it might have been helpful, but now at 89, I don't think it would make much difference and perhaps would have unwanted side effects.

Jeffrey - Dementia/Alzheimer's is such a devastating disease - and affects people a little differently as it progresses. Not sure what you can do about your Mom's constant talking, but I think 'letitbe4u' is correct - there may come a time when your Mom cannot talk or speaks very little. My husband (later stage Alzheimer's) barely talks and when he does, usually makes no sense because he struggles to find his words. God Bless You for taking your Mom into your home at this time to care for her.

Enjoy her now because as the disease progresses she will no longer be able to talk.
My father can barely get out two words. So I have to talk to myself and answer my questions so that he has something to listen to.... he understands everything.

With her being on Namenda and the Exelon patch, they have side effects, and I am leery of these meds because, having tried them on my husband, they caused more side effects, so they were stopped. These meds are standard protocol for dementias, they do not change the diagnosis and will more than likely cause behaviors you didn't recognize nor expect. Mirtazapine comes in two forms, both oral and disintegrating, and treats depression (which can have anxiety). If you are to really know if it will work, take her off the other two meds (with approval or not), and see if the mirtazapine is the med that will help her. My husband constantly talks to himself, I will hear him, and I've asked him about it. He just says he is talking to himself. Maybe having dementia causes one to not be able to silence the mind and one has to hear the words in order for the mind to know what it is saying. Since I don't have dementia, all I can do is allow him to be who he is at this point in time, because there will come a day when he will not talk at all. My best to your family.

Jeffrey, unfortunately, my mom is almost 95, & in a nursing home. I'm embrassed to admit we could't take care of her either in her home nor ours. She's on Exelon patch 13 mg too but that's all she's on!!! Nothing else - besides bp meds, etc., but as for Memory, repeating - NOTHING! And I really believe "less is more" when it comes to meds anyway. Now mom thinks "white specks" are coming out of vent in her room & in the hall I& that's why nobody was IN the hall Saturdays around 6 pm when we visit her. And she repeats herself too. REMEMBER, medication can cause SIDE EFFECTS as well. Do you try to take her for walks, or maybe play games, get her interested in somethig else? Hope this helps...

My mom who had major anxiety issues, was on klonopin and an ssri antidepressant. New geriatric psychiatrist added Remeron and mom has been so much calmer! Medication like this is try and try again...it may take time to get it right, but do allow the doc to try different things.

You sound like such a really lovely person. I am so sorry. May I please ask you a couple of questions? it won't help you, I'm afraid, but it will help me. Can you please tell me what anxiety issues she's having, and what, if you know, the klonopine is having an effect? If she is still having that, and is having a problem, I'll bet I can tell,you what it is. And please, whatever you do, don't stop it suddenly ..it is awfully addictive. Thank you, Luv.

Change in meds would be in order.

jeffrey20832, people with anxiety associated with bipolar disorder also can be non-stop talkers. I'd try the new doctor's suggestion about change in medications. It will be a real benefit to all of you if Mom's anxiety can be lessened. Realize that treating these things is often trial-and-trial-again. Each brain is unique and discovering what will calm Mom is a big task. It sounds like you are doing the right things on your end. Does distraction work some when she is anxious? After you reassure her that things are OK does it help to suggest some activity or a snack?

JessieBelle - this is the same sort of situation I have as well. I try to stop and calm any confusion that she has, or see if there is any other discomfort she has (cold, tired, hungry). But there is so much of it at times, I sometimes just need to reassure her that everything is fine. I feel bad about as I don't know how much is anxiety, and how much is the cruel disease simply ping-ponging ideas around at random.

jeffrey, mine can talk a lot, too. It has been a fairly recent thing. She will be watching TV with the volume up. She begins to talk in a low voice when I come in about various things. They make sense, but are usually stressful to me -- what work has been done or needs to be done, gossip about family. I have to mute the TV to hear her because her voice is so low and monotone.

I was wondering, if when your mom talks all the time, does she make sense? Is she talking about real things that are happening or did happen at some point in her life? I was thinking that maybe it gives her reassurance somehow to hear herself talking, even if no one responds to her. Have you ever tried having her put headphones on or ear buds in and listening to music that she might like? If she's in need of noise or voices or music in her ears, I just thought you might try that. It's just a thought.