Something that happens a lot when the tv is on is that grandma will read and read whatever words are on the screen over and over. Or read any words that are on commercials. Here is an example of the usual scenario: I’ll be watching HGTV and it always says HGTV in the bottom right hand corner like most tv networks do during shows. Grandma keeps reading it and saying it out loud, “HGTV...” many times. I can never hear anything they’re saying on the shows so a lot of the time I end up turning off the tv so it can rest for a little while. Does anyone else’s loved one with dementia do this, or a behavior that is similar? I’m curious of the possible reasons she may do this? Of course I know she does this due to the disease, but is it because reading is a skill that is currently still fairly well intact for her, so she just gravitates towards what she knows? I’ve just never heard of anyone else’s loved one doing this. Even though she reads, she does not understand tv at all anymore. Cannot follow shows or what is happening. Sometimes when I’m watching tv, I can see her out of the corner of my eye and instead of looking at the tv, she is staring at me. We used to have so much fun watching certain shows together before she had dementia, but now it just feels like I’m watching alone. Dementia is heartbreaking and it’s so hard to see her like this.
Off subject ideas: Another interesting talent, she can sort cards by suit & put in order. I shuffle, & she does it again. She also loves watching musical videos, especially Claire Crosby, the 7yr old with a beautiful voice.
God Bless you!
The verbal sign reading when we are out and about gets me sometimes because she gets to see all the signs I would never notice (because I'm driving) and she blurts out words or part of the sign. Should I say hey did you see that? she doesn't-it could be a bear in the road and she's reading the specials sign in front of McDonalds. But we make it work and she and I get along better than we ever have since she is living on her own and not with me so I can and will bear anything and we stay engaged without too much strife. That said, I'm sorry that your Mom is slipping away. The suggestion to put it on closed caption might help her if she can follow along with it.
I don't know if this helped you or not but I am sending hugs to you and your Mom. take care
In your case, it just happens to be the TV. If she can't really follow the story or what is being presented in a program, she CAN focus on that static display. It just sits there, unchanging, so it might get "stuck" in her head. As others noted, signs on walls, billboards, street signs, license plates, whatever. If mom gets a note from staff (due to hearing issue, often they respond with a note), she will periodically take it out and read it over and over. Same with a calendar. Think of when you were a kid and you played games during a car ride - find all these items, count the telephone poles, etc. Like lisah13 says, they are like toddlers at this point, only in reverse. If you can redirect her to some other activity, something that might occupy her time, it can help, but because the short term memory is shot, it won't be long before they move back into that "scratch".
If she can still read, perhaps some children's books? Lots of pictures, some words, to keep her mind busy? If she (and others) read aloud over and over, you'll just have to learn how to tune it out. Simple responses if they look to you for anything while reading out loud, as you would with a toddler.
Wwell, I can tell you that my last client had dementia. She was a Teacher her whole life. & proud.
same issues I had! I would try to sit with her & watch tv... but dangit everytime I tried she should start reading aloud..Then ask me a question!
I would say, I don't know becuz you are talking thru the program & I can't hear!" Plz read quietly. Funny I sounded like the teacher.
She then apologized, said ok, i'll shut up, & within 5 secs, start up again.
So there's others that are going thru it..& yes probably something they still have control of...reading.
Its irritating but I quickly knew, watching tv anymore was out.
Sad sad disease to watch.
Used to aggravate me terribly but now I can follow her along, let her get to the end of the month (after all she is going to forget it all in a few moments!) then redirect with some other activity. Mom, lets work on your puzzle, Mom, its happy hour! Here Mom fold these towels.
In her case she truly couldn't see to read, but she wanted me to think that she was fine.
It was kinda comical watching her with her magnifier and an upside down paper. And it was quiet!
Maybe it's Grandma's way of trying to prove she's ok? Ultimately there is no rhyme or reason for much of what they do.
You're so right, it's heartbreaking to watch them go through this.
Hang in there and God bless!
Maybe you could stick a post it note over the logo so you can watch in peace. For fun maybe you could turn on the closed captions and let her go for it...
Mom started having some occasional mild dementia behaviors in the last year and now she sometimes reads those wall printouts out loud every now and again.