Broken vs. can’t operate something

May flowers

We’ve had many times in the past where my FIL loses something and is convinced it is misplaced.

Last night he called us from his MC at 2:00 am saying his brand new shaver is broken. We said we’d take care of it. Caregiver checked this am and it works fine. We are thinking for whatever reason he just couldn’t work it (and who knows why he was doing this at 2 am) 

Is this the same type of behavior as the misplacing and blaming the object or another person. Is there a name for it?

Hubby and I were amazed he was able to use his phone - he hasn’t been able to call anyone on it for a year. A little discouraged he was up like that tho. He had not been sundowning here, but we knew he would probably have some setbacks after the move (a week ago Tuesday)

wyoming daughter

Hi May Flowers

When my Mom can't work something - it needs batteries or it was something that Dad used to take care of so she never learned how to operate it.....I'm not sure, but it's probably pretty common. 

Fairyland

I’d be making sure the PHONE was “broken”.

May flowers

Yes, hoping it’s not a new habit, lol! 

We went to see him today and he was telling us all about his night. He said he was rattled because he thinks he was sleepwalking - he ended up down the hall and laid down on the sofa. We reassured him that he couldn’t go anywhere dangerous and there was a person always at the desk if he had kept walking, that would have got him back to the room. He said he was worried that his mind had taken a turn. We reassured him that he is safe and people sleepwalk sometimes (including both our sons)

He remembered what he ate, said he really liked the food, he said he can find his room now, and was telling us stories about people he had met. He talked about one man who he chatted with that got angry all the sudden and that he decided to steer clear of him. It reminded of him of someone he knew that had Alzheimer’s and he said he thought that guy probably had it too. But he talked about other residents and the staff in a positive way. He talked about his routines, and what he does at night and mentioned his music player several times. He loves that thing.

 This is the best I have seen him in a LONG time. It was a great day. These are the days you hold onto!

mommyandme (m&m)

Thank you so much for sharing. Yay!