Daddy lives about 700 miles from me. I talk to him every night. I believe he is in stage 6e. He likes to hear me talk to him, which I'm usually good at spinning a yarn for him about my day. I'm currently a substitute teacher. I tell him about my students and what they did that day "just introduced the kids to the concept of velocity, or imagery in poetry, or WWI. What ever I did that day. Recently Daddy has been having a real hard time following this. "When did WWII end?" or Why aren't you working full time in the factory? then he gets upset. I know this is typical of an Alzheimers person, but when I talk about the weather or what is blooming, he gets just as upset because it's not the weather he has where he lives or the weather he thinks he is having (from watching the weather channel). When I try to follow his lead in conversation, things get quiet right fast. I can't ask him what he did today, cause he doesn't know. Any suggestions?
Just keep in mind that he may not be able to finish a topic or thought and trying to make him do that even without realizing it might be frustrating to him because it reminds him he can't remember, when my mom looses her train of thought or can't find the word r memory she wants (she has aphasia) we just laugh it off, "that's ok it will come to you", is there anything you need or anything you want me to talk about tomorrow? No doubt just hearing your voice and even just sitting in silence knowing your on the other end of the phone with him is often calming. Try taking your cues from him even if the conversation or lack there of doesn't make sense to you. Whole conversations isn't what's important here, for either of you, conversing each day, having that regular schedule and contact with each other that each of you can count on is what's important. You are doing on the phone what you would be doing in person if you were physically close enough and it is no less important and beneficial. Your time together doesn't have to be filled with words, just love and you are obviously full of and sharing that. He is very lucky.
You might talk to the facility staff. IF he is generally anxious or agitated, it could be part of why he's disagreeable. Maybe, you could speak with his doctor about it.