I heard that looking at old photos is good for stimulating the brain through memories. I know when my mom and I go through pictures, she perks up and I learn a lot of family history.
My mother-in-law can talk and talk but quite often we don't have a clue what she is talking about. We have tried pictures with limited success. She says that she does not remember her husband who died some 20 years ago even though they were married many, many years. With time, we are getting used to her starting to talk in the middle of her thoughts. Very confusing. It is like playing catch up. My mouth is not always connected to my brain so I kinda understand. Just have patience. It is also good to have your doctor check for treatable conditions such as early dementia. Otherwise be glad she is still with you and remember patience, patience, patience.
My mom and I are like this. as the years and altzheimers go by I run out of things to talk about. I get her out to the kichen and make her help make cookies, pies or anything that keeps her busy. I buy puzzles and we work them even though she forces pieces into wherever she can and I dont say a word. I go get box's of stuff like papers, things she saved etc and we go thru them over and over. sundays my sister is here and the 3 of us watch our NASCAR race and we talk and gripe at drivers we dont like and mom joins in. she is a dale jr fan and still knows who he is and the numbers of other drivers cars. otherwise we pick a show to watch and I do my best to keep her talking to me.
I have this same problem too!
My Mom does not have altzheimers but she has always been negative and controlling and it's all about her! Now It seems, nothing makes her happy, nothing to talk about,just stress and guilt on my part for not being able to make her later years pleasent!
I have tried everything, all she wants to talk about is the pain and suffering of her past and say mean things about my sisters weight, our style and how we are so stupid for getting our nails or hair done.
Food never tastes like when she made it, everything from the past was better! She never did things for herself so why do we! She never gives us any encourgment of credit for changing our lives and not repeating her mistakes. I think she wants us to suffer like she did!
Be a door mat, take crap from an abusive husband, suffer.
I feel bad she made a lot of poor choices for her life, and get pissed that she does not appriciate what my sister and I do for her.
We try to understand but at this time in our lives this stress is sometimes hard to take.
Every once in a while she is a little sweet and thankful and are encouraged to keep on!
My sister and I will keep on doing the best we can and live in fear of ever being in this same place when we get old.
We only have sons.
Will they take care of us?
Oh well, I am done venting.
