My mother-in-law with Alzheimer's has days where she will not speak at all. Any suggestions?

I try to visit with a friend or caregiver. Then I talk to that person and my father is listening and enjoying the conversation between us. I know he understands because sometimes he smiles at the funny parts. Also the rituals of washing hands and then massaging them with lotion or giving your mom a warm foot bath with epsom salt and then rubbing her feet with foot cream is very enjoyable and gives you something to do with your mom. Hugs and back rubs are good too.

I believe those are symptoms of her disease. Hug her. Play some music. Make contact with her in other ways, such as putting lotion on her hands.

Discuss these symptoms with her doctor. Make sure that nothing else is going on, such as a UTI or other illness.

Hugs to you, Marialake.

Does she respond to pets? Sometimes just putting a bunny , kitty or other little critter on their lap will get them to open up and talk. Most people respond well to animals.

Ah, but they can still understand. I would hug my elderly neighbor, Harold, and whisper in his ear "When are we going to run away?" he could not answer me verbally, but I saw his eyes twinkle, a mischievous smile. One day my husband put him on the back of a Harley and took him for a short ride. You could not wipe the grin off Harold's face.

This is actually part of the disease where speaking will come to a hault. But one thing to check for is to make sure that she doesn't have a UTI as this can alter her moods as well. In the late stages they will be come more less capable of communication and just have that hollow stare about them. But she can hear you, now is she still capable of knowing exactly who you are is another problem. Try to stay in a good routine with her it makes a difference. Beast of luck to you and many hugs.

She will speak when she gets the correct connections in her brain to work to speak. There are about 5 steps the brain has to go through in order for us to speak the spoken word. Her functioning is slowing, so she will speak when she can. Know this is a progression and she will not speak at all soon. Staring is common. Just love her for the time she has left.

I have been working with a woman and she did not speak, and slept alot. I started using some essential oils on her. She was taken off Aricept and she got so much better, speaking sentences and asking things. Quite amazing.

Just venting. None of these situations are any fun at all.

Yes this is normal, the link between brain and tongue gets broken, or like a poor ph reception.. she might be thinking, and also thinking she is talking but it just doesn't make it. Often the swallow pattern starts to go also,so you may notice that she is coughing after drinking or eating some foods starts to fall out of her mouth. To keep the channel of communication open, ask one subject only questions.. and ones that a nod or head shake might suffice.. so instead of saying Do you want your toast now, and is it to be jam or honey.. ??? ask Do you want honey?, pause... if no reaction then Do you want jam...

Mine won't shut up - complaining, asking to die. I'll trade ya.