My mother-in-law with Alzheimer's has days where she will not speak at all. Any suggestions?

I believe those are symptoms of her disease. Hug her. Play some music. Make contact with her in other ways, such as putting lotion on her hands.

Discuss these symptoms with her doctor. Make sure that nothing else is going on, such as a UTI or other illness.

Hugs to you, Marialake.

I try to visit with a friend or caregiver. Then I talk to that person and my father is listening and enjoying the conversation between us. I know he understands because sometimes he smiles at the funny parts. Also the rituals of washing hands and then massaging them with lotion or giving your mom a warm foot bath with epsom salt and then rubbing her feet with foot cream is very enjoyable and gives you something to do with your mom. Hugs and back rubs are good too.

This is actually part of the disease where speaking will come to a hault. But one thing to check for is to make sure that she doesn't have a UTI as this can alter her moods as well. In the late stages they will be come more less capable of communication and just have that hollow stare about them. But she can hear you, now is she still capable of knowing exactly who you are is another problem. Try to stay in a good routine with her it makes a difference. Beast of luck to you and many hugs.

Does she respond to pets? Sometimes just putting a bunny , kitty or other little critter on their lap will get them to open up and talk. Most people respond well to animals.

Mine won't shut up - complaining, asking to die. I'll trade ya.

She will speak when she gets the correct connections in her brain to work to speak. There are about 5 steps the brain has to go through in order for us to speak the spoken word. Her functioning is slowing, so she will speak when she can. Know this is a progression and she will not speak at all soon. Staring is common. Just love her for the time she has left.

I have been working with a woman and she did not speak, and slept alot. I started using some essential oils on her. She was taken off Aricept and she got so much better, speaking sentences and asking things. Quite amazing.

Yes this is normal, the link between brain and tongue gets broken, or like a poor ph reception.. she might be thinking, and also thinking she is talking but it just doesn't make it. Often the swallow pattern starts to go also,so you may notice that she is coughing after drinking or eating some foods starts to fall out of her mouth. To keep the channel of communication open, ask one subject only questions.. and ones that a nod or head shake might suffice.. so instead of saying Do you want your toast now, and is it to be jam or honey.. ??? ask Do you want honey?, pause... if no reaction then Do you want jam...

I feel bad now as my mum wont shut up especially as im trying to watch a film I guess this is an eyeopener as to whats ahead and i should be grateful now that shes babbling away although ive noticed she has days where shes just in a little world of her own and dosnt speak much!

Blue Ridge....we have to be careful what we wish for!! My husband was diagnosed 5 years ago. One year later, he couldn't speak. His words were so confused, using the wrong ones, etc....he seemed like he just gave up. It has been just noises since then. Being our second marriage, I wish so hard that he COULD talk. I would love to know about his past life before me. No , he can't yell at me or ramble on and on, but he also cannot let me know if something is wrong, or where he hurts, or if he doesn't feel good. It always seems like someone else has what we would like to have.

I wouldn't trade my mother for anything, whether she won't "shut up" or not talking at all! But touching, talking with others around her are a good way to see her reactions. She may want to speak but can't get it out. My patient goes through that and usually will admit after a few days she can't get out what she's trying to say, so she won't speak... God bless and good luck...

Just venting. None of these situations are any fun at all.

Ah, but they can still understand. I would hug my elderly neighbor, Harold, and whisper in his ear "When are we going to run away?" he could not answer me verbally, but I saw his eyes twinkle, a mischievous smile. One day my husband put him on the back of a Harley and took him for a short ride. You could not wipe the grin off Harold's face.

I try to talk to my mom about things that we used to talk about. If something sparks a memory about something that we shared in the past I just talk about it. Sometimes my mom is responsive, sometimes not. I think I know what my mom would say from past conversations so I just carry on as we would have before.

My wife is in a dementia unit in the senior living home where we live.She does not talk and is unable to feed herself. She has a radio and TV in her room, but still has problems sleeping. She has a big doll that they give her at night to help, plus a lot of hugs ! Please confirm what UTI is urinary track infection. What is the cause of UTI ? Why would it cause problems with dementia?

My wife is talking, at times, but not making any sense, for the most part. She has some nights when she doesn't sleep at all. Do I have the nurses put her back to bed during the day or let her stay up, which I did today. I did not ask the nurses because I assumed they knew better than I.Her legs are very stiff in the wheel chair, when I try to get the feet off the floor , so we can go for a walk.Do I just leave these items up to the nurses or not?