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I can't understand what he's saying. Last night at 4:00 he said quite loudly, "Why don't you answer me?"

There have been times I would respond to my husband and he wouldn't respond back... only to realize he was already asleep. So now I try to ignore him unless it becomes obvious he needs my attention.

Years ago, my husband was diagnosed with REM Sleep Disorder.... RBD. When a person is in REM sleep, their body is basically "paralyzed" and they can not move so with RBD they do move. Sleep walking and talking are symptoms of RBD.

With RBD, when a person is not "paralyzed" they can move and talk when in a dreaming state and may act our their dreams which makes no sense to others around. If he is waking you at 4:00 am, it is very possible it may be RBD and he was actually yelling to someone in his dream... which may have been you or someone from long ago. If you wake him, he may have no idea what you are talking about. Google RBD - REM Sleep Disorder for more information and you may want to ask his doctor about this at his next visit.
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Reply to KPWCSC
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Cheryl19: There exists no rational thinking with dementia at play.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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My MIL is 98 with dementia and begins to talk softly as she is falling asleep and upon waking up. She often wakes up confused because she is not in the same place she was while dreaming. When the person rests, the mind begins to function differently and releases memory, stress, and tiredness in various ways. The brain is released from having to process all the receptive language that comes at them when awake so is able to manage more language stored in memory from the past. I would assume a person who expresses loud or angry outburst during sleep might be a candidate for anxiety medication of some kind.
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Reply to RetiredBrain
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Older adults are more prone to various sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and other conditions that can disrupt sleep and lead to sleep talking.
Many older individuals take medications that can affect sleep where dreaming and sleep talking are most likely to occur. Some medications can lead to increased talkativeness during sleep.

Aging can bring cognitive changes that might manifest during sleep, including an increase in sleep talking due to brain activity during dream states.
Older adults may experience stress or anxiety related to life changes, health issues, or loss of loved ones. These factors can lead to more vivid dreams and possibly sleep talking.
Certain health conditions can impact sleep and increase the likelihood of sleep talking.
So many things
if excessive or if you are just generally concerned speak to the doctor about it
there may be other health issues at play
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Reply to Jenny10
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I was able, copy/paste this partial except from Carol Odell article online:

"Why Do People with Alzheimer’s Mumble, Babble or Moan?
March 10, 2010 at 2:13 am caroldodell Leave a comment
“I visit my grandfather in a care home every other week, but now that he’s been transferred to the memory disorder unit, I hesitate about bringing my kids. Other patients there mumble, babble or moan, and I feel it would upset my children (ages 8, 10, 14). My grandfather doesn’t do this, but maybe he’ll start. Does everyone with Alzheimer’s eventually do this?”
A woman in her early 40’s asked me this question at a care talk recently. Since this type of Alzheimer’s behavior tends to occur in the later stages, many home family members don’t experience this at home in the beginning to middle stages of Alzheimer’s and don’t know to expect it.
I talked to my friends at the Alzheimer’s Association and here’s an easy description of what’s going on:
 There are 5 stages of Alzheimer’s/dementia–stage 1 being most severe. Babbling, mumbling, and moaning usually occur in stage 2 or 1 as the brain deteriorates and most language ability declines.
At this level, brain waves fall into “grooves” (I’m paraphrasing here) and repetitive habits, patterns loop over and over and are almost comforting. Some patients repeat words, other pat or tap or knock. Others like to touch silk or something knobby with texture. Some pace, bang their heads, or yell. Part of it is pent up energy and stress. Part of it due to the profound isolation and lack of stimulus that come with the disease and being sectioned from the rest of the world. Many neurological diseases share these behavioral traits such as severe OCD and schizophrenia.
An excellent tutorial on dementia/Alzheimer’s that’s clear and concise can be found at  North Carolina Alzheimer’s Association site (click here) 
This presentation by Ms. Snow includes photos of the brain in the various stages, descriptions of different of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, each stage, and how to “reach” your Alzheimer’s/dementia loved one. Honestly, this one document tells you most of what you need to know about the disease without dumbing it down–or drowning you in too much medical jargon.
While your loved one may not be able to communicate with you at this stage, they can still know your presence, send your mood by facial and body gestures, and respond to touch. This is the time when being their care advocate it crucial. While it’s painful to see someone you love in this state, they need you to protect them, be their voice, and make sure they are not in pain or neglected.
I encouraged this sandwich generation mom to sit with her kids and explain in simple terms what Alzheimer’s does to the brain, and why people at this stage act the way they do, and that it’s not something to be afraid of–it’s a medical condition. It’s not contagious, and if they’d like to visit, they are welcome–and the minute they want to leave, you’ll leave. Give them the option.
By demystifying Alzheimer’s/dementia, we help educate our communities. We don’t have to be afraid to visit our loved ones. By understanding what’s happening and how we can reach them, we bring the world a little closer together. One family at a time.
This Blog
Hi, I'm Carol O'Dell. This blog will include stories and lessons I've learned while caring for my mom, and now as I speak to caregivers around the country. I hope to offer suggestions, ideas "
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Why Do People with Alzheimer’s Mumble, Babble or Moan?

I found the above while just typing in "Why do people with dementia mumble or moan". There it was.
The above googling or bing or other search engine will bring up this interesting article exploring this issue.
I hope you can find it as my copy/paste powers are just out of commission today.
For a whole lot of issues do know that the internet is your friend. There are research papers out there now on almost any issue you can come up with.
Good luck and hope you find the acticle.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Is he hard of hearing? Does he wear hearing aids? My Mom wears them and even with them in sometimes she talks too quietly, because I think she hears herself and it seems loud to her but I can barely hear her.

Just ask your husband to please repeat what he just said. Chances are he won't even remember.
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