Why Do Seniors with Alzheimer's Disease Repeat Themselves?

By Andy Niska | September 20, 2018 |

As a family caregiver for an aging adult was living with Alzheimer’s disease, you have likely noticed your senior exhibit a wide range of symptoms and challenges since their diagnosis. Many people believe Alzheimer’s disease is a condition only of memory loss and decision making, but this is not the case. Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease can experience a far broader array of challenges , many of which indicate it is the beginning of the disease, or the progression from one stage to another. If your senior is in the later portion of the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, or in the moderate stage, they may have begun to exhibit behaviors such as repetition. Repeating things they have already said, asking the same question over and over, or even engaging in repetitive behaviors such as tearing up pieces of paper are all indicators of the moderate stage of the disease.

Elderly Care in Spokane Valley WA: Alzheimer’s Disease and Repetition

Those with Alzheimer’s disease struggle to make sense of the world around them. Because their brain cells are deteriorating, they are no longer able to interpret what is happening around them as well, and may struggle to understand what is happening, or what they should do in response. This can be very upsetting and even frightening for your senior. Repetitive behaviors can be a way of coping for them. When your senior says the same thing over and over again, or repeats the same question, they may be seeking out comfort and reassurance. This repetition is familiar, and they will receive the same information in response, which can reduce anxiety and build confidence.

Repetition can also simply be a function of your parent not remembering what has been said or done. Memory loss is a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, and it is possible your senior simply does not remember they already told you something, or already asked the same question. If they do remember they have said something, or asked the question, they may not remember how you responded. This can then leave them to repeating themselves so they can get the information again.

For a senior whose repetition is manifested in behaviors such as tearing up paper or tapping on a table, it may be a signal of anxiety or discomfort. They may not be able to properly interpret what they are feeling, and be unable to effectively communicate to you what they are going through, or what they need. If you experience this type of behavior in your senior, take the time to evaluate what is happening around them, what needs they may have, and how you can provide comfort, reassurance, and fulfillment of their basic needs to reduce the cause of the repetition, and therefore the repetition itself.

Caring for an aging adult with Alzheimer’s disease is challenging, but elderly care can help. The services of an elderly home care services provider are designed to not only meet your parent’s needs now, while encouraging independence and fulfillment, but also to prepare them for the future of their progression with the disease. Each stage of Alzheimer’s has its own symptoms and challenges, and knowing an elderly home care services provider is there with your parent as they progress can give you more confidence they will always have access to the care they need even as these needs change. For you as a caregiver, this can relieve your stress, and help you to maintain better health and quality of life throughout your parent’s later years.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Spokane Valley, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

Sources

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/stages

https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors

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Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.