They have to medicate her sometimes because it disturbs the other residents. She is aware that she’s doing it and I’ve tried to reason with her to no avail. She says “she’s bored.” She even sat outside in her wheelchair and started yelling to where this lady came over and asked if she needed the police!! She doesn’t yell when she’s entertained but leave her by herself, the yelling starts. I come to see her and she’s snowed in bed because of all of the prns they have to give her. She calls me a couple days later and tells me how much she misses me and that she’s lonely. She had a hair appointment today. My hair dresser was driving up to see her to do her hair today and I had to cancel the appointment because she wouldn’t wake up & get out of bed. This is just so hard for me…..I really try to do right by her…. I’m all she’s got.
It was a phase and she eventually stopped doing it. Medication didn't seem to work to stop it, but I would still recommend medication for depression, anxiety and agitation. If she's groggy it may be her adjusting to the meds or it may be they are not the right meds or in the right dosage for her. It does take time to sort this out but it most likely will be worth it.
People with impaired memory cannot remember that they were just "entertained" so there is no point in fretting over this complaint of boredom. Redirect the conversation or distract her or let some of those calls go to voicemail. Try to remember she is getting care and has a loving adult child watching over her. This is more than many seniors in the world get, so count her blessings for her. May you receive peace in your heart on this journey.
When hospice came on board, they scheduled her for Ativan on a regular basis. Not a huge dose to knock her out, but enough that she'd slow down from looking for her dead relatives in all the closets that she insisted I'd locked up in there.
Best of luck to you.