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She also forgets that she has done things. My wife tells her--rather impatiently--that she did those things. We both know that it's the dementia, not her, but my wife gets frustrated about it.

You can just nod and smile
or
You can ask her more about the story she is telling.
This is difficult for your wife seeing her mom decline like this.
I do hope that there is a Support Group that she can go to.
The Alzheimer's Association has a 24 hour phone line. Great for asking questions and asking for suggestions.
If this is real frustrating for your wife I can tell you it does not get easier and if this is going to be difficult for her now is as good a time as any to begin looking for Memory Care facilities that she can move into. Or consider getting caregivers that can help out. An Adult Day Program may help as well as that will give your wife a break from her mom.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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Suzy23 Jan 29, 2025
I second the comment that unless /until your wife finds other ways of coping, her frustration is only going to grow because her mom’s behaviors and memory are definitely going to get more challenging. No one can change this. But with the right kind of effort, it is possible for your wife to change her OWN perspective. It’s not easy and there will be setbacks. But the more she can truly accept what is, the better. One technique that sometimes helped me was telling myself “this is not my dad. This is a stranger with dementia. This visit is only going to last another hour” or whatever.
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It truly is wearisome, as an earlier poster said. But they truly cannot help it; they have no idea they've told you the story 5, 50, or 500 times. Very sad.
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Reply to YaYa79
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You just nod and smile. I often will my mom onto a new subject by saying, “oh I forgot to tell you…….”
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Reply to cindyleegeorgia
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My MIL would repeat stories ad infinitum. I think she knew she did, she just relished telling it again and again. When she would start in with " did I ever tell you..." and if you would try to nip it by saying " oh yes the time you left litte Ricky at the rest stop on vacation- that was so funny! " She would just launch into it again for the umpteenth time. We would just nod and smile. I think she must have been hanging on to what she could remember as it seemed there was so much she could not.
But wow, yes it was trying. But in the big picure of annoying dementia things that was lower on the scale. But when you have to deal with it so often it it becomes quite wearisome.
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Reply to Siouxann
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You know her better than we do. I would myself be loathe to hurt her.

I just let my father, and my brother after him, tell the same old stories over and over and over and over again. I tried to enjoy them. Because I do it as well!
But I will admit that when Dad died, I did laughingly say to my brother when we held our private "wake" over a glass or two hoisted (as Dad had asked we do as his service)--"WAIT! Does this mean no more stories of Aunt Lillie losing her purse at Butchart Gardens?"

And when my bro died I remember his beloved having said of him, when he started on a retelling of yet another favorite story: "Ah-AH! No more of that same tired story! I don't give frequent flyer miles". Because I knew I would miss that same-old, same-old.

I think we all have our stories, the ones we love. I fear we all tend to tell them way too often, and I sure do that HERE on this Forum; I know many members reach for their backrest stashes of bags in case of an unexpected upchuck.
But there you are. Price of loving, I say. Small price to pay. We are all soon enough gone.
Enjoy your time together.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Telling your MIL that she has already told you these stories will only upset her, and remind her that her brain is failing, so yes, just nod and smile.
Your wife may need to better educate herself about the horrific disease of dementia, so she can better understand not only what is yet to come, but also to learn that she must now enter her mothers world as her mother can no longer enter hers.
You both need to meet your mother/MIL where she is at, not where you'd like her to be. And know that she will only continue to get worse.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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Suzy23 Jan 29, 2025
100% agree!
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Just nod and smile, and get used to it. Either your wife learns patience or she places her mother in Assisted Living with Memory Care available on site. Dementia care is hard and requires a lot of patience and inner strength to deal with. Not everyone can deal with it. I know I couldn't.

If I Get Dementia

If I get dementia, I’d like my family, friends and Carers to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live. I want them to remember these things.
💛🤗💛🤗💛1. If I get dementia, I want my friends and family to embrace my reality.💛💛💛2. If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we’re visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I’ll be much happier for it.💛💛💛3. If I get dementia, don’t argue with me about what is true for me versus what is true for you.💛💛💛4. If I get dementia, and I am not sure who you are, do not take it personally. My timeline is confusing to me.💛💛💛5. If I get dementia, and can no longer use utensils, do not start feeding me. Instead, switch me to a finger-food diet, and see if I can still feed myself.💛💛💛6. If I get dementia, and I am sad or anxious, hold my hand and listen. Do not tell me that my feelings are unfounded.💛💛💛7. If I get dementia, I don’t want to be treated like a child. Talk to me like the adult that I am.💛💛💛8. If I get dementia, I still want to enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed. Help me find a way to exercise, read, and visit with friends.💛💛💛9. If I get dementia, ask me to tell you a story from my past.💛💛💛10. If I get dementia, and I become agitated, take the time to figure out what is bothering me.💛💛💛11. If I get dementia, treat me the way that you would want to be treated.💛💛💛12. If I get dementia, make sure that there are plenty of snacks for me in the house. Even now if I don’t eat I get angry, and if I have dementia, I may have trouble explaining what I need.💛💛💛13. If I get dementia, don’t talk about me as if I’m not in the room.💛💛💛14. If I get dementia, don’t feel guilty if you cannot care for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s not your fault, and you’ve done your best. Find someone who can help you, or choose a great new place for me to live.💛💛💛15. If I get dementia, and I live in a dementia care community, please visit me often.💛💛💛16. If I get dementia, don’t act frustrated if I mix up names, events, or places. Take a deep breath. It’s not my fault.💛💛💛17. If I get dementia, make sure I always have my favorite music playing within earshot.💛💛💛18. If I get dementia, and I like to pick up items and carry them around, help me return those items to their original place.💛💛💛19. If I get dementia, don’t exclude me from parties and family gatherings.💛💛💛20. If I get dementia, know that I still like receiving hugs or handshakes.💛💛💛21. If I get dementia, remember that I am still the person you know and love,
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Reply to lealonnie1
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Billbrooks1986 Jan 29, 2025
Thank you. That's a real loving, insightful sentiment. May is use that with my clients/friends etc.?
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