Unanswerables

wizmo

I have been keeping a list for a while as DW loses her expressive vocabulary and keeps asking incomplete questions or making incomplete statements. I’ve learned not to probe too much for clarification as the thought probably evaporated before she could repeat it.

when are they getting these things?

could I have a full?

are they still?

when will they?

Is this the one?

is it better than the other one?

where are all the other people?

whose are these?

where are the other ones?

which of us is?

do you think people like …

we should make this.

is there even?

did you do it?

can I do?

did you know you were not the person?

how do i get to do this?

I once said “I’m waiting for the rest of your question”, and she said without hesitation “me too” and we both laughed.

annie51

Funny you should post this just now...I was wondering today what to do when DH asks me a question and I have no clue what he's asking. You're so right about not probing for clarification because he usually can't provide it or, as you said, has forgotten what it is before it's out of his mouth. However, sometimes he really wants to tell me something and I just don't understand...I never know how to correctly respond with something other than "I don't know what you're asking" and I know that's not a good response!

JDancer

This is very similar to my "Say What???" post on this same forum. I only had one example, but I'm sure my list will grow.

Cecil Jones

My wife does it too. I usually try and fill in the blanks but getting very hard to do. Sometimes I can just nod my head up and down and she happy.

MarkW13

This behavior started with my DW in the last 6 months or so and is already getting worse. For awhile I could try to guess what what was trying to say, and sometimes it would trigger her memory, but now she usually gives up and just says that she can't remember. I see that she is getting more frustrated, but have not come up with any good responses yet.

M1

Ditto here too, very little of what she says is understandable any more. Interesting to me that her receptive comprehension appears to be more intact, as she loves to listen to me talk and tell her things.

Jeff86

when are they getting these things? Pretty soon, I think.

could I have a full? Of course. Why have only half when you can have full

are they still? Yes, they still are…I guess they always will be

when will they? As soon as they can, when they’re not so busy

Is this the one? I think so. It’s a good one

is it better than the other one? It’s just as good, anyway

where are all the other people? I think they’re shopping. They’ll be back soon.

whose are these? I think they’re yours

where are the other ones? In the other room

which of us is? I think we both are

do you think people like … Oh, I’m sure they do

we should make this. Good idea. Let’s do it

is there even? There is, definitely.

did you do it? I did. It was nice to get it done.

can I do? Sure you can

did you know you were not the person? I was pretty sure I wasn’t

how do i get to do this? All you have to do is ask.

You get the idea. I so remember this with my DW. She couldn’t remember what she was asking but it felt affirming to her to have her question answered. This is a version of going to her reality.

My DW always accepted my response.

wizmo

Yes, definitely believe in affirmations. Problem is when she is not looking for a yes and my answer doesn’t make sense to her, then it goes to agitation - I’m suddenly an idiot and an *$%& for making fun of her. At least for me it’s safer to say nothing and wait for her to rephrase, or just claim I don’t know.