We moved my mother in our home 1 week ago. She has a large bedroom with a tv. And a living room space to her self. She is constantly in the room where my husband and I are watching tv and relaxing, which is fine but she talks constantly and you cannot relax or watch a movie, the news or anything. I have given multiple hints that we are watching a show and she just keeps talking during the show.. we can only have peace after she goes down for the night! I’m dying already... please help!
4 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
Mom is lonely. A week is not long enough for an adjustment on both your parts. Seems subtle is not working. Explain to her you have no problem in her sitting with you, but this is your downtime to relax and watch your shows. You really don't want to carry on a conversation. Thats for another time.
ADVERTISEMENT
I'm her sole caregiver, no family or kids around. The wife also talks non-stop all day long. From bedtime of 7pm to awake ar 5am. I also cannot watch tv or do anything without the constant babble and constantly repeating the same questions over and over and over. I've learned to concentrate on a program and ignore the background talking or just constantly shaking my head yes or just saying yes every few seconds.
Recently I have been using headphones to listen to movies or the tv. You have to be very alert if using them. Don't know what the wife is up to if you can't hear her. She will wander away outdoors. (Use chain locks on the inside when home). Or will get into the fridge and dump the condiment jars or whatever out inside the fridge or the floors. (Bought childproof door straps at Home Depot).
I expect the non-stop talking will go on until the next stage of the illness. Non of us know when that will happen. I recently signed up with a sitting service for two days a week at two hours each day so I can do our shopping and errands. If I get finished a half hour before my time is up that day I'll just go get a coffee or sit in car just to enjoy the peace and quiet. Then it starts all over again until my next break.
For this to work you're going to have to stop hinting and call a family meeting to come to some agreements that you can all live with. The thing is, it's her home now, too!
I don't have any solutions. My house is one where you can hear everything from end to end, very little privacy. I'm an introvert and need time alone to recharge. I don't even like having house guests! Having someone else living here permanently would be very, very hard.