ok, so i tried to search and maybe i missed this but bobby walks around the house most of the day saying "huh" like he is asking what someone said. not sure if it is just a brain thing or if he needs his ears checked , not that anyone is speaking to him here in the house when he is doing it. i just hate taking him to the dr but if his ears do have some wax in them . oh our other new thing is that he will run to a spot in the house and rub the floor or carpet with his hand as hard as he can. i have tried to ask him what it was but he never tells me. any thoughts?
donna the ear drs have those little cameras that can detect wax buildup without alot of issues. it is easy to remove and doesnt take long. let the drs office know about DH anxiety issues and they can get you in and out to check. it will make a huge difference if there is something impairing his hearing. as far as the carpet rubbing it could be another part of sundowning. maybe a call to dr to discuss med adjustment?
Hi Donna, Lynn never did this, but many at the nursing home do. Here is some information from the Alz association... http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_repetition.asp
Repetition A person with Alzheimer's may do or say something over and over – like repeating a word, question or activity. In most cases, he or she is probably looking for comfort, security and familiarity. The person may also pace or undo what has just been finished. These actions are rarely harmful to the person with Alzheimer's but can be stressful for the caregiver.
How to respond •Look for a reason behind the repetition. Try to find out if there is a specific cause or trigger for the behavior.
•Focus on the emotion, not the behavior. Rather than reacting to what the person is doing, think about how he or she is feeling.
•Turn the action or behavior into an activity. If the person is rubbing his or her hand across the table, provide a cloth and ask for help with dusting.
•Stay calm, and be patient. Reassure the person with a calm voice and gentle touch.
•Provide an answer. Give the person the answer that he or she is looking for, even if you have to repeat it several times.
•Engage the person in an activity. The individual may simply be bored and need something to do. Provide structure and engage the person in a pleasant activity.
•Use memory aids. If the person asks the same questions over and over again, offer reminders by using notes, clocks, calendars or photographs, if these items are still meaningful to the individual.
•Accept the behavior, and work with it. If it isn’t harmful, don't worry about it. Find ways to work with it.
If you have questions or concerns about your loved one's changing behavior, call us at 1.800.272.3900.