dad bombarding me with calls

mullrich

I switched out my a 90 year old dad’s phone from a smart phone to a flip phone because he had gotten to the point where he really couldn’t manage the smartphone anymore (even though he is convinced he could). He doesn’t like the flip phone and he keeps calling or trying to text me to tell me he isn’t going to use it!! My husband and I are traveling this weekend so I ended up blocking him so I could try and enjoy myself, but now I feel so guilty. He lives in a facility so if he really needs me they will call…

M1

Perhaps it's time for no phone at all.

Emily 123

Correct. Likely your dad's trying to contact you about the phone every time it occurs to him that he wants his cellphone back. His seeing the new phone's a trigger for the calls, because he doesn't recall previous attempts. Blocking the calls is fine. If it persists you can remove the phone. My mom lost her sense of time and would call me in the wee hours.

mabelgirl

I got my mom the Raz phone because she couldn’t manage her flip phone. It’s a bit pricey but I think all of us and strangers are glad we did. It has quiet hours on it where she can’t make calls at all hours. Until she gets much further along I can’t see ever taking her phone away. You should not feel guilty about blocking him when you know he’s in good hands.

Anonymousjpl123

Oh yes, the phone. I went from smart phone, to land line phone, to no phone. Mainly because my mother took to unplugging the landline and hiding it in various places around her MC.

Here are my feelings on phones: is your dad’s phone a source of pleasure for him or frustration? My guess is two. It’s such a hard thing to let go of. But it may be time to lose the phone.

livefree2

Mom is in an AL that also accepts mild dementia. We had to take away the landline that was pre-programmed with my number, my siblings, and my aunt’s number. She was calling us in the early morning crying and telling us to pick her up or come sit with her. Needless to say….we have only incoming calls for her now on a regular landline and it has alleviated many sleepless nights.