Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
M
MarlaN Asked August 2019

Any strategies for dealing with the incessant questions? My mom constantly runs a pattern of 5-6 questions over and over and over.

DareDiffer Aug 2019
To prevent your going nuts - try answering them truthfully but different each time - the challenge will be enough - I’ve answered the same question 22 times in one visit! Remember, for her, it is the first time she has asked you to her knowledge, so getting frustrated will upset/ confuse her whilst still not resolving the next repeat.

A good sense of humour and strategies help - for example one relative liked to help with meals. As I was caring 24/7 with no help I actually ended up having some prepared meals sent. So whilst they thought the carrots they had peeled tasted wonderful - those weren’t the ones in the meal!

Another would play with some old wiring - as an engineer they’d used a lot - though didn’t know what to do anymore they’d happily “tidy” it into a roll then unravel it.

Asking them questions is another way - keeping them busy replying and then finding another question from that ... especially if a former job or hobby - helps check their memory at the same time.

Before I entered I would remind myself that I was entering their world to try and care for and make them happy in the time left - repeated questions - as not aware they’d already asked - no problem - answer with a smile as it’s your first reply, to their knowledge.

Geaton777 Aug 2019
I agree with Againx100 that you should talk to her doc who may be able to prescribe something, but not sure. Do pursue that first. I have a sweet 97-yr old aunt who does the same thing. But she is transfixed by the goofy cat videos on YouTube that we show her and laughs a lot. If you can find one that lasts more than a few minutes, you can maybe get a break. My aunt can't follow "plots" and tv conversations anymore, so she doesn't stay engaged with the many movies I purchased. She also has this foot pedal device that she used during a recent stint in PT. She'll sit in a chair and pedal it while looking at Cat Fancier magazine. You're gonna need to just try different things and even that will be a moving target as her dementia progresses. Wishing you peace and quiet!

ADVERTISEMENT


againx100 Aug 2019
Wow, this must be very challenging! And, dare I say, boring. Well, I would find it so anyways.

So, can you distract her into other conversation or is it just kind of one-sided? Did she have OCD or similar issues in her pre-AZ days?

Have you talked to her doctor about this phase? Is it anxiety?

Good luck!

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter