Constantly saying Help Me please
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Welcome JulieOrleans. Listening to those repetitions is really hard, sometimes it can make you really heartsick. I think the technical term for the repetitions is perseveration. Often they stem from some kind of general anxiety or sometimes chronic pain. You might ask your sister to arrange a doctor appt to check into this, especially if it is a new behavior. You will get more advice and resource tips later today, but one that is available 24/7 is the Alzheimers Helpline 800-272-3900. You might have to wait for a callback, but they can help with concrete advice and emotional support.
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Welcome to the group! I'm sorry you've been dealing with so much.
Elderly saying "help me" over and over is pretty common in later stages of dementia. It stems from their anxiety due to a broken brain. Appropriate medication for their anxiety can give them comfort.
Here is a discussion about "help me" from another discussion group I'm on:
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Welcome. So sorry about your Dad, Mom & fur baby. Vocalization is common in late stages of dementia. We understand what you're going through. This explains it and offers some tips: Also read the book "The 36 Hour Day" which helped me after my husband's diagnosis. Search online for dementia caregiving videos by Tam Cummings or Teepa Snow. Talk to his doctor about medication to calm him. Hugs.
When someone with dementia repeatedly says "help me," it's a sign of distress, confusion, or unmet needs like pain, hunger, loneliness, or fear, often due toshort-term memory lossmaking them forget they just asked, so caregivers should focus on the emotion, not the words, by offering reassurance, comfort, and checking for physical issues rather than just giving the same factual answer. Identifying triggers like overstimulation, sundowning, or an unfamiliar environment is key to providing the right support and calming them.Common Reasons for "Help Me"Emotional Distress:Anxiety, fear, insecurity, loneliness, or feeling lost.Physical Discomfort:Pain, hunger, thirst, needing the bathroom, or being too hot/cold.Cognitive Issues:Short-term memory loss, causing them to forget they just asked.Environmental Factors:Overstimulation, changes in routine, or specific times of day (sundowning).Unmet Needs:They might be trying to communicate a need they can't express clearly (e.g., fidgeting with clothes).
How to Respond
Focus on Emotion:Acknowledge the feeling behind the words (e.g., "I see you're scared") rather than the words themselves.Provide Reassurance:Offer comfort with a hug, a soothing touch, or by saying "You're safe with me".Check for Needs:Systematically check for pain, hunger, bathroom needs, or if they are too hot/cold.Validate Their Reality:Acknowledge their feeling as real, even if it's not factually accurate.Look for Patterns:Note when it happens (time of day, place, specific people) to find triggers.Stay Calm:Your calm presence can help de-escalate their anxiety; breathe deeply and avoid getting frustrated.
What Not to Do
Don't Just Repeat the Answer:Giving the same factual answer repeatedly is ineffective and can increase frustration.Don't Get Angry:Anger will heighten their distress; they aren't doing it to annoy you.
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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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