Hi, My mom has been reading a bit of this site with some help from me. She is asking for some ideas. My dad is still quite active and makes his own breakfast and lunch and plays solitaire on his computer but really doesn't recognize most people and cannot hold a conversation or understand much of what is asked of him. Our problem is that he loudly repeat the word "ya" all day long, every day, until he goes to sleep. We have had the behaviour specialists in but it does not fit the pattern of vocalization as an expression of a need or emotion. Any ideas or suggestions that may have worked for others?
Welcome Scratch (and mom)/ we have seen it here often that many of our spouses vocalize over and over some the same things. I think its par for the course here with this disease. I brought up a couple of older topics with regards to this. if you do a search for talking there are many topics that include incessant behaviors. many of them I think are obsessive compulsive types that they tend to have. some obsess over objects and things. others words. many professionals have said it can mean a need for like you say emotion or a need. sometimes its neither! just Obsessive compulsive disorder. mine would do a clicking sound in mid stage all day drove me nuts. now he claps!! all night and hes bedridden and late end stages. but manages to clap still. its a strange disease for sure. I am sure others will come soon to give more input. try giving a reward maybe food he likes or a candy bar. we find many of us use foods as a distraction. AD loves sugar. redirecting to something else while hes doing it maybe could work. sometimes we just have to live with the strangeness. it can drive you nuts if you let it. divvi
Thanks divvi. The constant shouting in a previously quiet home is really hard for her and us to take but I hate to see him placed because of it; the folks in long term care won't like it any more than she doesn. I wasn't sure if I should be posting here so will likely lie low and try to get Mom to figure out how the site and forums in general work.
scratch I am of my own mind but I doubt anyone here including joan- but cant decide for her0 whether you can post questions for your mom if she isn't computer savvy. I know my mom would never be able to use a computer or type. but I will let them chime in. its a website for spouses but if she is unable to actually do the asking I don't know but for me certainly can understand you wanting to ask in her behalf. if hes overly vocal and disruptive then a medicine change would be appropriate to keep mom sane. yes it can be quite disturbing. and btw- if hes placed and disruptive in a facility they WILL also use meds to curb that habit. they do whatevers necessary to keep the peace for everyone there. so if you can get him with mom to his dr and put it to the dr I am sure they can try something to help with this behavior before it escalates. many here use Seroquel and or combos of anti anxiety or anti depressants. the dr should be able to help her. good luck.
Scratch, mine vocalized constantly too, and I hadn't read (at the time) of anyone talking about it. Finally found topics on it - look up "disruptive vocalization" on the web and you'll find some. Trouble is, the articles are usually written to address people in facilities who are disrupting others, and they aren't really very helpful for mom at home. Mine said UH UH UH. If you listen to some of the demented people on youtube you'll hear them muttering away.
On the other question - your mother may have years to go of your dad being home. If she can learn to use either the computer or an iPAD, (get the big one) that would be the greatest gift you could give her for Christmas or whenever!! She can read this forum on it, she can dictate her questions, she can tote it around, etc. I know they aren't cheap but better something that is used than something that isn't. I live in a retirement community and a great many people well over the age of 80 use them constantly. It will be such a friend to her!!
I'm Joan, the owner of the website. It is designed exclusively for spouses to be able to discuss sensitive subjects that are unique to spouses, and I keep to those strict guidelines. I'm willing to bet there are subjects your mother doesn't want to discuss with you regarding the way Alzheimer's has changed your father.
So here is my suggestion - I'm with briegull" on this one. Take some time to teach your mother to navigate this site (including all of the resources on the home page) either on the computer or a tablet (IPAD, Kindle Fire, etc.) Guide her through reading and asking questions on the message board. It always helps to write down the instructions in a notebook - I'm not a fan of pieces of paper, as they get lost. After she is able to read and write on the site on her own, you can let her fly solo. (My Kindle Fire was $200. It's a small one, but it does everything.) If money is not an issue, I would suggest looking at the new Kindle Fire that has a May Day button. When you need help, you press the button, and a real live human being comes on the screen to answer your questions. It's $379. See below for the link:
There was a man in my support group who made weird sounds similar to what you are describing. Sorry to report that I don't think the problem was ever solved. I would suggest asking your father's neurologist (if he has one) about it.