What stage?

Cat K

At what stage does someone (husband in this case) lose interest in absolutely everything? He used to like to watch TV, especially westerns, but he has no interest in that anymore. He was never a reader, no hobbies at all. He had seemed better for a while, no sundowning or wanting to "go home." But that has all started again. I thought he was stage 6, but he has no interests, he's bowel and bladder incontinent. It's impossible to redirect with TV or a snack. I'm at my wit's end. Thanks

Kat63

I know this sounds little crazy, but I have found my DH has pain most of the time and is more settled and does not have the sundowner as much if I give him a pain pill each day. I give him Tylenol arthritis which is 650 mg. In stage 6, they can no longer express pain. I listen to Tam Cummings and she explains a lot of their bad behaviors are due to unrecognized pain. So I thought I would give it a try and my DH is more settled for sure. Maybe worth a try.

My DH doesn’t have any hobbies either and no longer watches TV shows as he can’t follow storylines etc. He does enjoy listening to music. We have a record player and quite a few old albums. I will play a record and he will spend most of the time going through the albums. They end up not in the right covers but that’s ok. He also folds towels. I read this is something dementia patients can do, so I bought about dozen of bright colored kitchen towels and put them in baskets at our entry bench. The first week or two after I bought them he was not interested in them but now he will sit on the bench a few times each day moving and refolding the towels. Just a couple things that works for us.

Chammer

Since this is a significant change, you might check for a UTI.

SDianeL

loss of interest can be at any stage. It’s because they can no longer understand written word or understand or remember what is said on TV. They also cant work a remote. As kat63 posted, try familiar music my brother in law put music videos on TV in a loop and my sister who has dementia watches them for hours. Some respond to a baby doll and rocking chair. You could check on senior day care. Counties usually have them.