My Mom thinks that everything on TV is a re-run, even shows I know that she would NEVER watch. Is this a symptom of her condition worsening?

Thank you all - I am glad to know that I am not alone. It just seemed weird because she just started it all of the sudden.

My Mother loves Judge Judy and tunes in every day, as I change the programs to the TV channels which She prefers. Every day Mum will say, LOOK JOHN I SAW THAT PROGRAM BEFORE. I just respond by saying it's the same show, but with different cases, and different People. I think it's because Mum recognises Judge Judy, and THE POLICE OFFICER that makes Her think She's seen that show before.

My Mom does the same thing.. She watches Deal or no deal every day and just told me yesterday that "this is the first time I've seen this show"... Ya maybe first today! She probably has seen every episode of every season a zillion times!

Just " uh huh" and nod your head.. Deep breath!

Thank you Hugemom and Mymaria for responding. And you are correct, she is absolutely positive that she is correct. I knew we had a problem when she insisted that she had seen "Fast and Furious Five" several times and "why don't they play something new." :-( I try to find humor in these situations but my heart just breaks.

My 92-year-old father in law watches Gaither DVD's over and over. He loves the music and it really seems to keep him calm. He thinks the people in the DVD's are living at the church or concert hall and show back up to perform the next time he watches it. He also thinks the concert gets better each time they perform it and thinks the line-up changes even though it's the same DVD over and over. One time, he heard on the news one of the performers died (he did.) The next time he watched the DVD with the performer in it (this was an old clip from the 1970s) he said, "Wow it's amazing that the stand-in they got for him today looks just like him." Sigh. It can be eternally frustrating and I'm still learning not to argue with him about these insignificant details.

One thing Ive found after 3 years of dealing with my mother who has dementia is that they truly believe what they say. Arguing or trying to reason with them will only cause them (and you) upset. If she focuses on insisting that the show is a re-run, agree and redirect. Speak about one of the stars. Comment on the set decor. Although these conditions progress over time, fixating on something is a symptom of the disease from the get-go. With my mother, while she was living on her own and pretty much taking care of herself, she began fixating on a man in her apartment whom she insisted was "stalking" her. He wasn't. Over time, it has developed into an abject fear of men. It was a slow progression and I don
t know, nor do I have any desire to learn, if there was an incident in her past that caused this fear to surface now. When she makes comments about men or sex, I redirect her. If your mom insists that all shows are re-runs, redirect her into a discussion of one of the actors/ actresses, the set decor, etc. Arguing and insisting that the program is NOT a re-run is pointless and will only earn you a blank look. If she seems to be obsessing on more and more things, discuss it with her physician.