Alzheimer's Disease Support Group

Does he repeat the same stories, or ask the same questions or just the same statement over and over? I'm just curious as my Dad seems to go in "cycles", somedays he will tell me the same 6 stories, over and over and over. Some days it's a question I've answered so many times before. It's odd how different things pop up on different days.

I've found one thing that helps me is to start asking a question about the story or question he is asking. One I know will make him think a minute and sometimes breaks the repetitiveness. He falls back into it, but then I jump in again periodically.

It's amazing how much my Father can talk..and talk....and talk...I would be exhausted. But, I love to hear his voice and I let my mind wander sometimes while he talks away. Just good to be with him I guess.

You are a saint Deborah, such dedicated love...I hope you have a blissful sleep and sweet dreams tonight.

I remember when my kids were little and would ask the same question over, and over, and over until I wanted to scream....that's with the older ones by the time the tenth one got to that stage I'd gotten where it didn't phase me at all.
Now that I have a husband with AD who goes through this phase too I just remember when the kids did it and either answer him or ignore him if I'm busy.
It's funny how he will go days without doing this and then it's like a stuck record and nearly everything he says on some days will be repeats no matter what I try to do to get him interested in something else to keep him quiet.

It does go in cycles- some days he isn't so repetitive but other days like today, OMG! I just want to scream, SHUT UP!, but of course I don't.

My daughter and grandson are coming home tomorrow, they have been on vacation, they live with us and so I told him we would be going to the airport tomorrow. That is what he keeps asking, when are they coming home, when are we going to the airport, etc. Mostly I try to ignore him or give him short answers but after awhile it makes me a little bonkers! It is like a child who is constantly chattering.

"It's amazing how much my Father can talk..and talk....and talk...I would be exhausted." Pounder, you expressed exactly how I feel. It is exhausting. Yes, sometimes I am just happy to hear his voice knowing that at some point I will miss it.

I found music helps sometimes with the repeating. Sort of fills the air with something other than words. I thank god every day that my Dad loves music as this still will calm him and break whatever repetitive mode he's in. He'll sing along or just get so quiet when I put on some old music.

I know every word to every song written now in the 40's, but it's been a lifesaver!

Music helps my husband too. He turns the tv on to one of the cable music channels, usually the old country songs. He sits in front of the tv and listens to that all day long. I can usually find something else to do. It's a battle though when the grandkids come over and want to watch cartoons on tv. He has gone so far as to turn the cartoons on but turn the sound off and play the radio on the old country music channel.

But music does calm him, he still plays his guitar and sings. He can't remember how to use a can opener but he can play the guitar and never miss a note and sing every word. I still enjoy his singing and I'm glad he can still do it.

My mother asks the same question over and over. I'm going to invent a devise that uses a small recorder and clips over the ear with an earpiece. The first time she asks the question, I'll record the answer into the recorder and hook it to her ear. It will have a timer and replay the answer every 5 seconds.

I find myself playing a game to see how many different ways I can answer the same question. Since she doesn't remember my answer (she doesn't remember even asking the question) she never knows and it keeps me from repeating myself.

My mom gets stuck on one thought that replays over and over until there is some distraction away from that idea. That means the questions and repeating stories keep going until I can find a distraction to get her mind going somewhere else.

Actually, I have to laugh at our habits. If we are out, people stare at us after a few sets of the question/answer. If they have experience with AD, they smile (been there done that smile).

When I get nuts with it, I go into the garage and talk to myself....starting to sound like my mom.

Hang in there!

I know this sounds crazy, but go ahead and try and enjoy their talking. Because total silence comes later. My mom is in final stage, and she has not spoken a word in over a year. Not ONE word. It is awful.

My mother did this too... repeat, repeat, repeat... and yes you get tired but try this ... ask about his childhood... my mother never forgot her childhood, i learned things i would never had known about my mother and how she grew up... AD patients forget the present but most dont forget the past... plus it will keep them busy for a while... and yes silence is brutal mostly when u know they want something because of the way they look at you and ur so helpless because you have no idea what they are trying to say... so yes enjoy these days as hard as they may seem, answer them once,, ignore them twice,,, but one thing never argue with them because u will never win...lol... take care.

Hi Deborah, I think all the care givers should be getting a medal. My mother does the same thing. I just take a deep breathe and answer the question or acknowledge the repetitive statement that she has said over and over again. I try to change the subject when she gets stuck on something. I know it is difficult. Hang in there. Christine

Oh gosh I can relate to that, My mother in law repeated the same anecdote 6 times in 90Mins yesterday!