I need some help my grandfather/he is also a great grandfather he is in his early 90's, hard of hearing has 2 hearing aids, cleft lip so you have to really listen to understand him, now back in a nursing home, he can no longer care for himself stays in bed all day. About a month ago, just noticed talked when no one was talking to him then he clears his throat and talks again, Christmas Eve '12 he kept repeating the rhyme: Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe; Catch a ______ by its toe. I was hoping my young children would not hear the fill in word. My mother kept asking him at least 10 times, What did you say, What are talking about, I just wanted to say leave him alone. Could this be early dementia? He said he didn't even know he was talking. He didn't even know how he got where he was nor any of the people in the room with him. He asked where his bed was, then you can ask him a question and he would answer. I am thankful that he didn't have this issue in the past, but now I just want mother to let it go, whatever it is, she has to let it go. Any idea what this could be?
sing childhood songs without the offensive words that he can remember. Whatever makes him feel secure and happy --let it go. Good love him he is
trying to remember some songs he may have sung or heard 90 yrs ago.
Elizabeth
I'd be a little more concerned that he didn't seem to know where he was or any of the people in the room. Does that come and go? Did he eventually recognize his daughter, for example?
Whether this is the beginnings of dementia or not, I guess you want to know how to deal with it. If your children hear something you consider inappropriate you can talk to them about it. "Great-grandfather was repeating something he heard as a child. That was not a nice poem/word/song, but he didn't know what he was saying and couldn't help it. Poor great-grandfather. But you do know what you are saying and I don't want to hear you repeating that naughty word." Depending on their ages they might not understand the concept, but they will pick up on your love and respect for the old man, and your standards for them.
I suspect that your mother is a little hard of hearing. She doesn't want to miss any of her father's communication to her, but she really can't understand him sometimes. So she wants it repeated or clarified. I think it would be OK for you to touch her hand, make eye contact, and say softly, "It's just a nonsense rhyme, Mom. He isn't saying anything to us." Have a talk with your mother when the two of you are alone, and decide how to handle this kind of thing in the future.