My Mum's wanting her Mum - Please help

[CHESS]

I've just got my Mum settled. She had gone to bed early, not feeling well, and then I heard she was out of bed. She was at the top of the stairs, crying. She doesn't know where her Mum is, doesn't know what to do, where's her Mum gone, she won't know where to find her, etc.etc. This has happened several times before, and I really do find this the hardest thing to cope with.

My Mum is just a little girl again, wanting her "Mammy". I go along with her, saying her Mum will be back soon, she wouldn't go and leave her, etc. I don't know if my Mum even hears what I'm saying. She doesn't seem to respond to me cradling her, but I feel I have to try and comfort and reassure her. I find it truly heartbreaking listening to her.

I'm assuming this is probably a commom problem and would welcome the benefit of others' experiences and advice.

 

[Skye]

Dear Chess, yes, it is quite a common problem, but that doesn't make it any the less distressing.

You are doing all you can in trying to comfort her.

Would your mum accept a soft toy? Some of the ladies in John's home love to cuddle large teddies, sometimes almost as big as they are. They seem to get great comfort from snuggling their faces into them. One of them insists on feeding her lunch to her's, so it spends quite a lot of time in the laundry, but that's another problem!

You may have already thought of that, but if now, it's worth a try.

Love,

 

[CHESS]

Skye,

Many thanks for your reassurance. Yes, my Mum has a big cuddly lamb. It's her friend, and is definitely a source of comfort to her.....at most times!

If past experience is anything to go by, my Mum will be back to her "normal" confused self in the morning.

I wish you all a peaceful night.

Lovexx

 

[Grannie G]

Oh CHESS,
Dhiren also wants to go to see his mother and his grandmother, so I know how upsetting it is.
I have told him they must have died. He knows my mother and grandmother have died so I feel it`s all right to say that to him.
It might not be right for your mother, only you will know that.
And thank goodness it does seem to be forgotten by the next morning.

 

[helen.tomlinson]

Hello Chess

How heartbreaking. I can't imagine anything will take away that experience your mum has from time to time and I can't imagine anything making it easier for you at the actual time. It is heartbreaking. BUT you might find it helpful to reach out as soon as you can afterwards so that you can feel reassured and cared for.

Love Helen

 

[SharonLyons]

Yes my mum also wants her mum and dad. If we go out, she says they will wonder where she is. Sometimes, when she is at home and I have to go, she asks where her mum and dad are and when they will be coming back or she says that she will need to go home to them and wonders how she will get there. How terrible this illness is and how sad.
Sharon x

 

[knackered]

CHESS,

I'm so sorry. My mum is like Sharon's, has not yet got to the inconsolable stage like yours, but I still find it hard.

I'm sure you are doing the right thing gently cradling her (we could all do with that!). Would she like you to sing to her?

I've read that touch is an important form of reassurance and comfort to many alzheimer's patients. Even my mother - who was the last person on earth to be touchy-feely now enjoys a cuddle, stroke or hug.

Stroking can be particularly soothing. And find someone to give YOU a cuddle!

knackered

 

[Zadok]

wanting mum and dad

Oh dear. My story is just the same. My mum asks for her parents. I used to (gently) explain they are dead.Very upsetting for us all. Now I follow what the care home do......just tell her they are fine, no haven't seen them for a while, perhaps tomorrow/ when the buses are running again/ when dad has finished shift work. Whatever is appropriate for the occassion.
Dear Chess, perhaps when mum cries that she wants them you could agree you do too and say something about not tonight.......you'll have to make do with lamb or me etc.
It seems to me that it is wanting to go back to a time when things were safe and secure and understandable.Mum thinks she still goes to school or sometimes work, and goes home to her dad. My dad,who is dead now too, her husband, she no longer remembers.
Zadok x

 

[Mameeskye]

HI Chess

Before going into the NH we discovered that my Mum would wander with ehr dog in the local park, and was once found sitting there by a friend waiting for her Mum and Aunt to go shopping.

Mum often waited for her Mum. I think you look for that security when Mum makes everything OK again.

I think that the soft toy and just saying that she'ss see Mum as soon as is possible with a little distraction like a cup of tea and a biscuit sometimes helps.

(((Hugs)))

Mameeskye

 

[Canadian Joanne]

My mother kept asking how her parents & particularly her mother were. At the very beginning I said her mother had died. This, of course, brought on floods of tears etc. I quickly learned to say they were fine, the same as always. When she said wanted to go see them, I would say "Yes, let's do that tomorrow because today I have to........." whatever lie sounded plausible to her.

The aim is to gently distract and reassure. This does pass, eventually my mother stopped asking about her parents. But it's heartbreaking while it goes on.