Perseveration

Emilydlr

this is my first time on this forum. My wife has Alzheimer’s and is probably in stage 4 or 5. She can perseverate on a problem and as much as I try to get her to think about something else, she keeps going back to the problem that irritates her. I need help to find ways of dealing with this issue in productive ways. How do others manage behavior issues, perseveration or other issues?

ghphotog

My DW had severe emotional outbursts during stages 5-6. I don't have much advice but the outbursts never bothered me as long as were not in public so she would get emotional for a little while. She liked going to get hamburgers, which she never was a fan of previously, so I'd say lets go get something to eat or drink or just drive around for a little while and that would help. She would get hung up on wanting to "go home" even though she was home and again, many times just going for a drive would help. Not always but many times.

charley0419

my wife id say stage 4-5 also. When she get fixed I’m looking for something, even though she never had , I let her. If she mentions something crooked or not right I just take care not worth the battles. Is your wife on any meds ??

Biggles

Ignoring whatever your DH is fixating on and distract with something else. A cup of tea and a cake, a drive in the car, a tv program, put on some favourite music and dance with her or sing, feed the birds, look outside and say I think it’s going to rain or what a gorgeous day and keep the words coming, have a conversation with yourself or your DH about current events. It’s such a horrible disease as carers we have to find solutions to all these problems whatever works is my thought. Good luck take care.

SDianeL

redirect or distract with a treat that she likes. Not always easy. Keep trying to find what works.

Jgirl57

Welcome Emilydlr; For us, that was when Zoloft ( sertraline ) was started and it significantly helped his fixations on certain things and it was easier to redirect him and accept other activities . I hope you find this forum helpful

Crkddy

I also find a treat to be effective. For my wife it's mint chocolate chip ice cream.

harshedbuzz

My father was quite resistant to redirection and distraction— especially by my mom. Over time and with progression into stage 6, it became easier to get dad "unstuck". What helped in stages 4 and 5 was medication in that it reduced the anxiety that drove the thinking.

HB

WIGO23

Emilydrl,

I am sorry you are on this caregiver journey with all of us. However, there is help here, listening ears, kind voices and a safe space to vent. I encourage you to visit here whenever you need to.

My DH does become fixated on weather, news or a task he can no longer do. What has worked for me is mentioned here already—change of place such as “let’s sit on the porch”, “let’s go to the drive thru for iced tea … Another distraction is exercise and deep breathing, “let’s do a short YouTube workout for seniors”. It doesn’t matter if DH can’t follow along as long as he is trying. “Let’s do five deep breaths”. And finally, “let’s dance”. I put on some 60’s music and we sing and boogie. Again, it doesn’t matter what he does as long as it distracts him and he has fun.

I hope you find what works for you and your LO!

__Dolly__

Hi Emily,

I’m new to this forum too and had been busy reading the discussions which have been very informative since I feel like my DH with VD is declining. He has refused any cognitive tests so I cannot say what exact stage we are. It’s the morning brain fogs that bothers me: sometimes he will wake up and very confused but once it’s cleared in a few minutes, he is ok. When I say confused, sometimes he doesn’t even recognize who I am and thinks I’m a stranger. I just let him be for a few minutes while he’s in bed and only comes back to him when he starts calling me by our endearment of hun.