Hi everyone.
I am a caretaker for my grandparents in their late 80s.
My grandmother has dementia. She is constantly asking why she no longer has a computer, or why her cell phone changed to a simplified version.
She was neglecting to pay bills, falling prey to scams such as "proprietary" health news subscriptions, "miracle cures" etc.
It breaks my heart because the computer was a link to the outside world for her and I don't know what to tell her on days when her dementia is good and she is self-aware and truly mystified as to why her world has changed. Though other days she is not aware that any such changes have been implemented.
Does anyone have any insight on how to communicate to her gently that she has been having some slight changes in memory so that I can diffuse some of the understandable anger and resentment that her belongings were taken, and her responsibilities transitioned?
I ask because on days that she's sharp and self-aware, she feels like there's a maligned collusion toward her to push her into isolation which is not the case, I assure you, and I'm the only one in the family who cares to try and make an effort to soften the blow of that realization.
Anything helps! Thank you!
Don't try to tell her. Either she won't remember or she'll be angry you suggested it.
For example, "where's my computer" ---"Grandma did you get enough to eat for lunch? "
"Why does my cellphone look like this?" ---"Grandma is trashday on monday?"
Sometimes a white lie can get you there faster but it depends what you're comfortable with. "Where's my computer?" ----"It broke, so I took it to be fixed"
"why's my cellphone look like this?"----"The plan was cheaper"
I've seen a lot of ads for the Grandpad. Is that something you think she could use rather than a computer?
that I fear getting Alzheimer’s and I’m sure dad did also, so I just gave it a different name for him.
My dad refuses to believe it and when family has said that I told them that he has some dementia I was called a fning liar. I just let it go.
When I get questions from the dementia I just say I don't know, I can check into it or I make noises of acknowledgement and promptly forget the grumping.
Learning to not answer a question is challenging, learning to tell lies is challenging and seeing an elder deteriorate right before our eyes is challenging. It is a brutal disease for everyone involved.
Can I recommend that you start getting resources together for the time that you can no longer care for her in home. It will help you feel less overwhelmed, this is one situation where knowledge is power.
Edit: there are different kinds of dementia and different stages to each and they are not mutually exclusive, she could have more than one kind. The only thing anyone really knows is that it will get worse and just when you think that you have something figured out, the disease progresses and you are at ground zero again. Tons of helpful information here but I think that we would mostly all agree that it is an individual journey and you just have to try until you find what works best today, because tomorrow could be different. It is really hard in the beginning because they are themselves so often that you wonder if you are the one losing your mind.
As someone mentioned, it is incomprehensible how they can't think clearly at one moment and can make a rational excuse for their actions at another moment.
Experiences that have intrigued me: 1) Mom was unable to do ADLs by herself, and was incontinent. I wanted to lay flat on her back because she had abdominal pain. She could not do it. Finally, I said, "We don't need to do this!" She replied, "You are angry with me" (They are very good at picking up emotional cues). Me: "No, I just wish you could do what I ask." Her: "You know I would if I could"
2) Several years later and declined significantly, She asked my father if he was her father. Being HOH, he asked "What?" I quickly interjected that it was time to go to her Memory care facility. As we walked to the car she said "You know, I miss my Dad. I miss everything. Everything is such a mess!"
3) Mom is now mostly nonverbal, and sleeps most of the time. My Dad said in front of her "Too bad she has no idea what is going on." I told him that I do not agree with that. I believe there are times she is aware, and a good chance it is more often than I realize. I looked at her and tears had weld up in her eyes. When Dad took her hand she squeezed his hand as hard as she could and growled at him. I am sure she was trying to tell him she was angry for what he had said. When he kissed her good-bye, she giggled like a school girl. So do not write her off at any point.
I found the book 'Still Alice' very true to what I was experiencing at the time. It left me in a funk for several weeks, but I am glad I read it.
Look for the blessings in this long difficult journey.
As for her questions, this is where the therapeutic fib comes in: gee grandma, we had to take the computer in to get fixed and it isn't ready yet. The phone came with the new phone plan, it is supposed to be easier to work and was a much better deal.... The idea is to give whatever answer sounds reasonable and will satisfy her for a while, but of course she will keep asking because she won't remember.
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