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I noticed that I have to limit anything I say to my mother to a bare minimum. She is in moderate late stage Alzheimer’s. I’m always very careful about what I say in front of her because she gets triggered. Mostly only mention the weather, or are you hungry? type of things. It’s getting to the point where she will fuss and cry over something totally innocuous. My sister is up visiting and helping me. I was in another room working on some genealogy for my husband. I said “family tree” in a conversation with my sister. My mom overheard and immediately started balling her eyes out thinking it was about her and went on and on about her family tree and how it fell down because everybody is gone. She will turn anything she overhears into some sob story about herself. I’m well aware her brain is broken but this is one behavior I have not heard of. Anyone else experience this? Thoughts?

I would have a lot of empathy for her. I see her as a person who is experiencing a lot of grief. What can be sadder in life than realizing that you have lost family and friends.? It is not a sob story. It is a fact. And now your mother is probably realizing that she is without the physical and mental strength she uses to have. She may understand that she is also experiencing some or extreme confusion.
I hope you can find a way to comfort her. If the care is too much for you perhaps you can bring in extra help. A medical work up may be warranted to treat depression and any other symptoms. I wish you the best.
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Reply to liz1906
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My thought really stops at the fact you are dealing with someone with a broken brain. Her reactions don't have any grounding in reality. Her emotions are all on the surface and will come and go like weather systems, and as rapidly. You don't have to overthink it or overdo any response. Just leave it be and it will pass, divert the attention where possible. You may also want to speak to the doctor about a try at a low-dose anti-depressant; for some this helps. I do know they are even trying low dose marijuana and for my friends Mom, who is in MC in T'X. it is a godsend on her mood.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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I've certainly known people who always turn any conversation into something about themselves, but they didn't have dementia. I wonder if what your mom is doing is a manifestation of how she always was.
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Reply to Fawnby
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I agree it's time for meds. As you can see, she is unable to bring herself to a state of calm and acceptance. She needs help with her depression and anxiety. My Mom became weepy in the morning and she was never like that. She asked to be put on something, so she's on the lowest dose of Lexapro and it's helped her a lot.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Call moms doctor.....depression is very common with Alzheimer's and dementia. Wellbutrin helped my mother quite a bit.

Good luck.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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