I would let her keep talking to the picture if it gives her some kind of comfort. I'm just curious. Is it bothering you that she does this? I'm guessing yes since you asked. Why does it bother you? I'm not asking this in a critical way. Just want to know more about the situation.
It's bothersome to watch our mother's acting odd and out of sorts, I get it. Talking to a picture or a tv set means mom has lost her grip on reality, so of course it makes you feel a bit uneasy. I listen to my mother carry on with her dementia ramblings and can hardly believe how far her mind has declined lately.
My mother refuses to even have a picture of my father in her room! She was married to him for 68 years and never utters his name. He died 6 years ago June 23rd. I truly wish she'd have a photo of him in her room and talk to it.....that would make me feel happy, like he was bringing her comfort. Try to look at it that way, that the photo of dad is bringing mom comfort, and be glad about it. That's my suggestion. Leave the photo alone and let her draw comfort from her husband's memory.
I would put more out. Get out the photo albums and share some memories perhaps I am just odd but I don't think talking to a picture is that weird. She just misses your dad.
I agree that it gives her comfort. Anything she does that doesn't agitate her or worsen her behavior or mood should be ok, no matter how unsettling it is for you to have to watch it. May you receive peace in your heart!
Happiness is tough to find in alot of dementia patients. It sounds like the picture is bringing it, and comfort, to her. Leave it where it is, and let her talk. If she asks where he is, just tell her he is at work/the store/wherever. Let her live in and enjoy her memories.
While on a train as a teenager, my friend & I saw an old lady travelling with a large teddy bear. She was well dressed, makeup, beads I think & a hat. *Best clothes*. Mr Bear was in a man's three piece suit & a hat, like a 1950's gentleman. She talked to him non-stop, describing the view, the stations, the people. Happy chatter.
A few people stared. Some smiled. Some said hello. Finally our curiosity got the better of us & we joined her & Mr Bear. She explained her husband had died & at first she was so very lonely. But now (insert the old man's name) went out like they used to. To the races, to the city. Sometimes she forgot where they were going or even once how to get home! But people were kind & always helped her. Sometimes they even bought her lunch when she lost her wallet (which she did alot). We wished her well as we got off the train.
We decided there was no harm in that. That the world is big enough to accommodate many sorts of people. Especially cheery ones.
Be glad she still seems to have some connection with your dad.
My mom forgot my dad within a couple of months of his death after 66 years of marriage and took up with an imaginary husband.
Now her dementia has progressed to a point where even the invisible husband isn't making appearances, and my brother and I said tonight that we wish he'd even show up to give her a modicum of happiness in her now-joyless existence.
My father died many years ago, long before my mom died. She would pick up his picture every night and tell him that she loved him and kiss him goodnight. I thought it was very sweet. She also had a picture of my deceased brother in her room and she found comfort looking at it and expressed her love to him.
Don’t be upset by your mom talking to his photo. If it brings her joy, allow her to speak.
My mother refuses to even have a picture of my father in her room! She was married to him for 68 years and never utters his name. He died 6 years ago June 23rd. I truly wish she'd have a photo of him in her room and talk to it.....that would make me feel happy, like he was bringing her comfort. Try to look at it that way, that the photo of dad is bringing mom comfort, and be glad about it. That's my suggestion. Leave the photo alone and let her draw comfort from her husband's memory.
Wishing you all the best.
perhaps I am just odd but I don't think talking to a picture is that weird. She just misses your dad.
A few people stared. Some smiled. Some said hello. Finally our curiosity got the better of us & we joined her & Mr Bear. She explained her husband had died & at first she was so very lonely. But now (insert the old man's name) went out like they used to. To the races, to the city. Sometimes she forgot where they were going or even once how to get home! But people were kind & always helped her. Sometimes they even bought her lunch when she lost her wallet (which she did alot). We wished her well as we got off the train.
We decided there was no harm in that. That the world is big enough to accommodate many sorts of people. Especially cheery ones.
Go in peace 😇
My mom forgot my dad within a couple of months of his death after 66 years of marriage and took up with an imaginary husband.
Now her dementia has progressed to a point where even the invisible husband isn't making appearances, and my brother and I said tonight that we wish he'd even show up to give her a modicum of happiness in her now-joyless existence.
Don’t be upset by your mom talking to his photo. If it brings her joy, allow her to speak.
Wishing you and your family all the best.
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