Mom lives with me and hubby. My "official" diagnosis (as a lay person) is mild cognitive decline. Not yet in dementia territory but seeing signs of things to come. For now, just keeping an eye on the situation and addressing things on an as needed basis.
One of the biggest challenges for me if the boring conversations. It's kind of mind numbing and frustrating on a day-in, day-out basis.
She has triggers - I have learned (and shared with my sister) NOT to say certain words or it's just like you pushed a button and she is COMPELLED to tell that story. Again. It does not matter if you were there when it happened. It does not matter if you have heard the story a million times. I have also told my sister - just EXPECT the conversation to be boring.
There are also increasing examples of her using the wrong words, not understanding rather simple concepts, etc.
I often feel like I'm earning the bad daughter award for saying such blunt things but the truth of eldercare is really not always a lovely place to be.
SO, fellow caregivers, how do you keep your sanity in the face of this?
Some days I can handle it better than others. Good days, I just deal and try to remain pleasant. Other days, I just want to hide in my room so as to avoid conversation. Yup, bad daughter award.
Car rides can be brutal! What the heck is there to talk about when you live together??
When my husband is with us, he drives, and I sit in the back and play canasta on my phone or text my friends. Ahhh, it's such a nice break!
Then I had to take notice that my parent's world was different compared to mine as I was still working, plus keeping up with the national and world news. My parents weren't, with fading eyesight and fading hearing, their world was limited when it came to new subjects to talk about. My Mom could no longer read the local newspaper which she loved, and hearing the news on TV was difficult.
Later on Dad was happy to get caregivers, ah new ears to hear his stories. Same when he sold his house and moved to senior living, ah more new ears :)
What did drive me crazy was whenever my parents said "Do you remember when you were 3 years old [yada, yada, yada]? Ah no. And they just couldn't understand why I didn't remember. Remember this? Remember that? I am lucky I can remember what I had for lunch :P
Can you tell me what day it is?
😏
If I am the person who clearly is not able to remember, and my family knows about my memory issues. They get frustrated and angry at me, for getting frustrated and angry at them. They remind me, that, "I" can't remember. I am the one with dementia. Why? Can't they all remember that "I AM" the one with dementia, and stop getting mad at me?"
We can only ask that you be more patient and tolerant of us. We are not exasperating you on purpose.
I am venting and asking for help in how to deal with this seemingly common problem from a caregiver's perspective.
Regardless of WHY she MIGHT do this, I still need coping strategies.
Hugs to you and lots of luck!
Anyhow, how do you keep your frustration from bubbling over? How do you keep from being so BORED you could scream? I find myself wanting to spend less time with her but that just feels mean cuz I know she's lonely and has so little social life outside of our home. She does go to my sister's once a month-ish for a few nights and gets some good social time then. But she's very social and loves to talk! My hubby and I just can't give her all she needs.
I hear you about the sniping. It's REALLY hard to listen to so much negativity. I guess all you can do is try to let it in one ear and right out the other? Not easy, no doubt.
My mom is more of a complainer than a sniper. And the same darn complaints over and over. It's like, I KNOW. She's not even in the dementia range yet! My sister and I don't understand why she doesn't seem to care that she says the same things over and over. I guess she just doesn't (can't?) consider what comes out of her mouth and how it is for her audience.
I do get some time for me, thankfully. It does help. But it's kind of strange that as soon as she's back, it's like she never left. I wish the relaxed feeling could last longer but it just doesn't seem to overlap for very long.
You really have to set down some rules to preserve your own sanity, ie: I will sit and chat with Mom until she repeats herself X number of times, then I will leave to do a 'chore'. Develop a routine for yourself based on HER routine, so you can schedule some 'down time' in there for yourself. Also, how about signing her up for adult daycare of some kind? Since she's social, she'd probably love to talk the other residents (new victims....lol) and give you a break! If I were in your shoes, I'd search out ALL the senior activities I could find and sign her up for a bunch. Then, I'd see what volunteer opportunities I could sign up for to get ME out of the house.
Try not to beat yourself up for getting frustrated, or think you're 'mean' for wanting to spend less time with her. (I don't think any of us are 'graceful' ALL of the time, either)The bottom line is, you're doing the best you can and it IS good enough. Period. You are doing a helluva lot MORE for your mother by living with her than lots of the rest of us who do NOT have a live in arrangement and STILL complain! Right?
Hugs