My 88 year old Dad's always talking to himself. What could be the cause of this?

My Mom has dementia and talks to herself all the time. It helps her to concentrate on what she is doing and to remember what she needs to do...

He will be sitting, watching TV and just say "Yeah", then a minute or two will pass and he will say that again and then something else that I can't hear. As I said, this all started in the past week and it continues. When I ask him what he said, he says "nothing". It has me concerned.

My 94-year old mom talks to herself a lot. When I come into her apartment and she doesn't hear me, she's carrying on a whole conversation with herself out loud. I think it's just what thoughts are running through her head. Since I talk to myself a bit too, I don't worry about it. I think most of us have thoughts running through our heads and some people as they age just let those thoughts come out of their mouths.

I wouldn't worry about it, unless he's openly conversing with people who aren't there, i.e. having hallucinations. It doesn't sound like your dad is doing that.

You didn't state if he's been diagnosed with any form of dementia? You may want to visit his Dr and speak with him about it..