She's diagnosed moderate to severe cognitive dysfunction, so the short-term memory is gone, but still has some mobility. I have a camera on her to keep an "eye out" when I'm working or running errands, and currently in the process of finding PCAs to come in.., but just today, she started with this non-stop monotone "help" "help" here and there, sometimes often and sometimes only once every few minutes, but when I returned from work she was suddenly all smiles and doing fine so I'm baffled and not sure if there's anything I should do? Has anyone else experienced anything like this?
It's so hard watching them struggle, isn't it?
Thank You for Sharing 😊
I'm So Grateful for this forum - came across it a couple years ago when first starting this journey - and I truly appreciate everyone's input, Thank You! 🙏
She had many friends, family members, hired aides and a husband, all taking care of her around the clock until the end, so she certainly had help. We never knew why she got stuck on that word! I suspect it was because when she was a child, her parents told her to call for help if she needed it, and the poor lady correctly assessed her situation. She truly DID need help to fix her brain, but with dementia, she was not going to get that kind of help and probably knew it. She'd been a very intelligent and educated lady.
It can be a way to get the help that is needed.
They "know" that if they say "help" there will be a response. You will come and see what needs to be done.
Most of the time this is based on...
You are out of sight so there is fear that you are not going to return. You are the safe person, a constant they can rely on.
Sometimes the word or sound is a comfort to them. My Husband made noises, soft moaning kind of noises. When he was excited or agitated the noise would increase or it would become faster.
In most cases this is anxiety driven.
Medications can help.
Finding other tasks to distract her from the fact that you are out of the room.
I am glad you are looking to have someone stay with her.
If you have the ability to talk to her with the cameras reassure her that she is safe and you will be home soon. Try that while you are home with her, leave the room for a while or go outside for a bit when she starts calling out talk to her see if it helps.
I have tried the stepping out of the room a couple times now and returning when I hear her say "help," but each time I ask if she's okay, she just smiles a big smile and tells me everything's fine, why do I ask? *facepalm*
Thanks again for your help!
Her doctor put her on meds for anxiety and depression and she stopped saying it.
Dementia robs people of a lot of things, and one is their ability to interpret and express what's going on in their own bodies and minds. Meds will most likely help your Mom, and if she's already on meds, she may not be on the ones that are best for her.