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12 months ago my ex partner was diagnosed with early onset dementia. In the last month she asks me 2 or 3 times a day by text : “when are you coming home?"


We have been separated for more than 3 years. I have been with my current partner for 2 years and get married in April. My ex has no memory of my current partner or life. She does not understand why I’m not living with her.

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So sorry. This is so sad. I don’t know but others in a similar situation will answer you. Stick around.

Best wishes to you.
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I have no suggestions, but would encourage you to watch Teepa Snow videos on YouTube. She is an amazing Occupational Therapist who has very effective techniques for communicating with dementia patients.

One thing she always talks about is validating the feeling that the patient. It sounds like your ex misses you. Can you reassure her that you understand that she misses you, but that you have other obligations right now?
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My husband asked that question over and over for the first 4 months when he was in LTC. I would just answer "soon" or "the doctor hasn't said you can come home yet". That used to satisfy him for the time being. Now he asks "why am I not living with you?" I say " because I can't care for you anymore". It is the hardest thing to deal with during visits. When I visit now I reminisce about trips or holidays we took together and he remembers parts of that.
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