My DH has been diagnosed and is probably in Stage 4-5. We've been living with the diagnosis for two years. We just returned from our two week vacation to the beach. I've noticed that he has now started to repeat words after they are said. For example, I might say, "We're going down to the beach." He immediately echos "Beach, beach, beach under his breath but it is audible to others. We went to the zoo and as we were talking about animals he would ofter continue to say the animals name numerous times until we redirected him. Is this a part of the moderate stages? I'm just curous. It has sort of turned into a humerous situation with family.
Not sure, arizonasun. Almost sounds as if he's trying to help himself "remember" something, doesn't it? My DH does something similar, not a repeat of words heard, but he will read aloud the billboards and signs as we drive. Rather like the children did when they were young and just learning to read.
My husband also reads the signs aloud. It surprises me, because he isn't very far along. He still reads the paper and magazines, so I don't know why he feels the need to read all the signs.
interesting so many like to read the signs. my DH LOVED to read everysign and billboard. it was like a reassurance that he still had some sort of organized processing. every sign every billboard. and he counted 'flags' :) so many flags everywhere..he was obsessed with flags, bigger the better. he oohed and ahhed at the huge dealership ones-awww--i would find myself pointing out the ones he missed:)- i miss those days now. as bizarre as they were- these days at best i get a 'stop'. from him sometimes. divvi
So, miss divvi, brunch must be over. How was it? Did all those folks sleep at your house? or just come for brunch. Can we all come later this evening for leftovers?
I've often wondered about the sign reading too. I know DH can read - he does at least 3 crossword puzzles everyday and usually gets most of the answers correct! He will attempt, however, to read the local newspaper, but really just glances at the headlines. Once we get in the car though, he is talking non-stop and reading every sign and billboard. And he always comments on the flags too.
brunch was a huge success i must say. alot of work but everyone was enthused and ate 2-3times! hardly anything left. DH was a real trooper and smiled alot and listened to all the conversations. the teens were nice enough to sit and visit with him in turns. they found his assortment of play things and they seemed to enjoy them as much as he did much to his delite! ha. the house is quiet and back to being silent as they left but we are in a relaxed state and enjoyed the visit. ps my squirell put on a show and knocked ont the glass door for corn when we were eating. everyone was enthralled and enjoyed the treat of her funny antics=divvi
Lynn too would repeat words over and over in the earlier stages. I too felt it was his way of trying to hold onto a thought. Later, he took to writing notes to himself. One day, (years later) when his short term memory was zero..I was cleaning out his wallet and I found a note ... it was battered and worn with age. It read:
"Nikki is my wife and I love her with all my heart! She is my whole world."
I will always treasure that scrap of paper. It means more to me than my wedding band.
The repetition of words after you say something is called echolalia. My husband does this and his psychiatrist told me that is what it is called. I found this definition of it: The immediate and involuntary repetition of words or phrases just spoken by others.
My husband also reads billboards, signs, and likes to show me the different state license plates.
Echolalia is the result of brain damage. As the disease progresses, more and more areas of the brain are affected, including the speech/language areas. I saw a lot of echolalia during my years in Special Education, particularly in autism.
An excerpt from an article on speech/language problems and Alzheimer's Disease - "He or she may begin to engage in echolalia, repeating the same word or phrase over and over. These verbal repetitions will occur with little or no comprehension of what was said. Echolalia may progress to the point where vocalizing deteriorates to repetitious syllables that are unrecogniz able as language." For complete article - http://www.alzheimersadvice.org/deficits-of-alzheimers-disease/alzheimer-disease
About the reading the newspaper. I used to read the newspaper front to back and my favorite pastime was working the crossword puzzle but it became harder and harder to read the small print. When I was in for my annual eye exam last month he said I have cataracks ready to be removed in both eyes. I was shocked because a year ago they were small. So, I am going to have them removed as soon as he can work it in and hope I will be again able to read. That may be part of the problem with your husband.