Is interrupting others a symptom of dementia?
Having conversations with the give and take is often difficult for persons with dementia. Either they are unable to follow the flow of the discussion and may respond incorrectly or they withdraw and become very quiet. At other times they may repeat what another is saying (called echoalia. Your husband may be doing the latter - repeating what you are saying- or he may be looking for attention. Interrupting and dementia are not necesarily related except in the sense that dementia also alters ones social skills. Therefore, before his dementia, he would have listened and responded but now he is unable to perform these functions appropriately in social situations.
You have many options for managing this behavior but it is important you first try to identify why he is interrupting. Has his dementia progressed to a more advanced stage where he is just echoing? Is he looking for attention? Are you able to divert him when he interrupts? Can you give him something to occupy his attention when you are speaking to someone else? Can you include him in the conversation so as not to make him feel left out? The 'right way' as you mention is to always stay aware of what he is experiencing ('empathy') and try to help him maintain his self esteem and dignity.
My husband interrupes me when I'm talking on the phone or to him. & is wanting to talk to others ,like in a waiting room,,when they're not talking to him ,they're already in a conversation with somebody else.thank you...
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