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Should we visit every time my LO in MC calls and is scared?

Pippick
Pippick Member Posts: 1 Member

I so appreciate this group the ability to ask this question. I am supporting my mom long distance who is supporting her sister (my aunt) who is in memory care for Alzheimer’s. My aunt never married and has no children of her own.

My aunt calls my mom several times a day confused about where she is and sounding scared. My mom drops everything she is doing to go over to reassure her; but, on my mom‘s way back home or later that day my aunt calls scared and having forgotten the visit. I keep encouraging my mom to carry on with her life as much as possible and not visit every day or every time my aunt calls; but, for some reason, my mom carries some guilt or sense of duty to give her life over to her sister. Do you have any advice I can give to my mom to convince her that she can have a life? Website links would be great.

Comments

  • Quilting brings calm
    Quilting brings calm Member Posts: 2,877
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    Before rushing over there: Your mom should, first, call the memory center and inquire about how her sister is doing that day.

    She should also tell her sister: I am coming over on x day, or tomorrow, etc. She ids catering to her and in turn, she’s twisting your mom into knots. This dementia disease is a marathon not a sprint. Your mom cannot continue multiple trips to the MC every day indefinitely. Plus her sister needs to develop routine on her daily schedule - which will reduce her anxiety

    She should only answer her sister’s calls once or twice a day. Or call her sister first at a time convenient for her. She doesn’t not have to answer every phone call. That just encourages her sister to call more often. The MC WILL call your mom if your mom is actually needed.

    If your aunt still has her own cell phone, it needs to disappear for a few days. Maybe it needs ‘repaired’ or some messages reviewed, etc. if you’d mom keeps it for a few days, her sister may forget she even has a phone. Again - the MC will call your mom if she is needed.

    Finally -anxiety medication is needed here. Talk therapy won’t help because her sister won’t remember coping techniques between sessions.

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 1,937
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    ditto what Quilting brings calm posted. Dementia causes the anxiety. Your Mom going to visit won’t change that. Let the calls go to voice mail and call her once a day.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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