After having my mom move in with me, all she talks about is her past house, getting her mail and her finances. I totally understand that, but that's ALL she has in her mind and I answer her just to have her ask me again and again. She's been with me for about a year now and was hoping her mind on this topic would shift gears and go away to something else. If it wasn't for this problem, our connection would be a lot better, but hearing it over and over is mentally affecting me. I guess I'm more venting than anything else. That's just part of the disease.
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Or get a play list of songs you want to sing. My dh aunts favorite is “Chattanooga Cho choo”.
She’s passed that stage now but I also had fun making up silly answers.
We had our mailbox removed. no longer have to fool with the Mail.
Your balance is two million 3 billion but I don’t think that big check we wrote at the race track has come in...
Did you brush your teeth?
Did you wash between your toes?
We aren’t having dinner tonight. We are all too fat.
Depending on her question just have fun with it or use what you are doing to keep a conversation going.
Now what did I do with the vanilla. Here it is. Smells so good. Let’s see I need 1 teaspoon for this recipe. You like cupcakes right Mom? I think I’ll make chocolate icing....Kind of like you are talking to the baby.
It will pass. All things do. Hugs
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Sure, it’s normal for it to get on your nerves.
If you have the opportunity, fit in activities that are joyful and stimulating for you. Even if it’s only finding thirty minutes of reading, watching a favorite television show, listening to music, going for a walk, a hot bath or shower, etc.
I hope you are somehow able to stop the monotony in your life soon. It’s easy to get in a rut. It’s terribly frustrating.
Take care. Vent anytime! Sometimes we simply need to get things off of our chest from time to time.
If the burden becomes too heavy, don’t hesitate to speak to a therapist. Therapy helped me get through my tough times.
I mentioned that I thought maybe she was calling about my sister and she said she knew it was too early to know about my sisters outcome and since my sister was who she would normally call when her bank statement didn’t come on time, and she was busy having surgery, she would give me that job. 🙄 Dementia or not they like to keep the focus on them.
I agree with funkygrandma59 -- distract her with something completely different (and positive). IMO you are not even expected to answer her. My aunt has very advanced dementia and when she asks the same question and my first redirect isn't successful I will either ignore her next repeat, get busy with something or walk out of the room. I find it exhausting to circle the drain with repetitive small talk. Engaging her with "chores" is probably the most fruitful solution. I have my mom cut old t-shirts into rags using a fabric scissor (much easier than with a scissor meant to cut paper since she has arthritis in her hands). Or I find funny animal "blooper" videos on YouTube because they are hilarious and she can watch a lot of those and it gets her laughing. I've read others have their LOs sort nuts and bolts, socks, etc. This is not an "actual" chore -- when they complete it you will then mix them up again for the next round. I wish you much peace in your heart and a solution to busy your mom!