My mom speaks to herself....

Hi forget me not,

Welcome to Caring's groups.  I'm glad you found us. 

I, unfortunately, have got any great advice for you, but I'm sure someone else will.  I've definitely read about folks with Alzheimer's looking into mirrors and talking to them as if a different person was actually there, rather than a relfection.  My gut tells me what your mom is doing is a common symptom for this disease, but I'm looking forward to reading others' responses who are directly dealing with Alzheimer's.

Keep us updated and again, I'm happy you've joined us.

Hi Forget Me Not!   My mom went throught his and still does some times.  The only advise I can give you is don't worry about it.  It was really frustrating for me until, I let go of what is considered to be normal behavoir and trying to make my mom act "normal", or at least what we consider normal.  As long as no one is getting hurt, most importantly your mom, don't worry about it.  People will understand that it is part of the disease and not her.  Hope this helps.

I have to tell you that I am new here and that when I saw the posting I said, "oh thank God, my Mom isn't the only one."  Thank you for sharing and it really helps!

Wow - my 92 yr. old mom starting do this last week!  She sits on the outside porch and has lengthy conversations with herself!!  I don't know whether to laugh or cry. . . .I figure she is just lonely. . . .

It is so good to see I am not alone my father speaks to himself a lot and sometimes he talks for so long I believe someone else is in the room...

Hi all

I'm new here too.  I'm glad to hear that other parents go around talking to themselves.  Mom is 86 and is rapidly going down hill.  She mostly talks to herself when she is upset or mad at me.  I am the only one of 4 children here.  The others help financially with paying "sitters" and my sister gets to come in twice a year.  But everyone works except me so---.  I try to listen when I can so that I can see if I'm doing something wrong that I can easily change.  I sometimes forget that she keeps house differently from me -- she still lives in her home.  She knows what she wants done, but cannot do too much herself as she is out of breath with little effort.

Hello everyone,

I am new here. I am not caring for any parents yet. But, I have years of experience working in nursing homes as a nursing assistant and Social Services worker. It is important to remember that people with AD are often incapable of processing information properly due to the physical changes in the brain. So, if they do unusual things, or perhaps act as though they don't know or care about you, its likely because they are unable to. The challenge to us is to decide to love them no matter what. Its easy to love somebody who returns it freely, not so easy if they act strangely or seem to hate you.

hi there...i'm new to this website, but have been caring for my mother with late stage alzheimers for 4 1/2 years...i have been pretty fortunate because my mom has been pretty easy compared to the stories i've heard that can happen...my mom does talk to herself, but i have to admit, i've been very fortunate with medication that has agreed with her...she has been on seroquel for 4 years now, and that has helped the hallucinations GREATLY...also recently, she stopped swallowing and i had to forego her meds for a pm and next am dose...i always had wondered if the aricept and nameda were doing anything for her...OH BOY, were they ever...now, she's swallowing again, and back on all her meds and doing fairly well (as well as can be expected)...this is a horrible disease...please be careful if your parent is not on any anti-psychotic meds, because as thier confusion increases, so will thier agitation and aggression...i am grateful to have had a combination that worked...she is and was peaceful...i wish you all the best...

I have been caring for my 73 year old mother.  I move back in after the death of my dad last year when we discovered she has AD.  I have five siblings and I am the youngest.  I put my life on hold and for a while I thought my mom did not love me anymore but reading these blogs has given a renew outlook on this AD.  I was having a hard time getting my mom to take her med so I put them in her Ensure everyday.  In just two weeks she is calm and actually pleasent to be around.  I am so glad I found this site.  It really help me out.