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A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Gladwin, MI

My mother-in-law has dementia. She is getting so quiet and stands and stares out the window. The only other action she does is look through drawers with no purpose - no goal. Was just wondering if this was common for dementia or not? If anyone else has any history with this sort of situation?

March 12, 2019
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Answer Summary

Members connected deeply over the question of whether quiet, withdrawn behavior is normal in dementia, with overwhelming agreement that... Read more

Members connected deeply over the question of whether quiet, withdrawn behavior is normal in dementia, with overwhelming agreement that reduced speech, staring, and seemingly aimless actions are common and often signals of someone retreating into their own inner world. Several members shared their loved ones' experiences, including complete loss of speech, humming or gibberish, hallucinations of people who have passed, and keeping eyes closed for long periods, with advice to remain patient, secure valuables, and consult doctors about calming medications if needed. A recurring theme was accepting these changes with grace, meeting loved ones in their reality rather than correcting them, and finding comfort in small joys like music or peaceful window gazing.

A myALZteam Member

One of my aunt's lost her speech, she tries and the only thing we hear is gibberish or blablabla. nothing that can be understood. It is sad and desperate, we tried to understand and feel so helpless. Like I said this disease has many facets and presents to each person in different ways. Not one person will show what others do. I think that's why they can not really find a cure, or something. The thing keeps changing its colors at every corner and they don't know what is going to show or how it is going to change.

March 14, 2019
A myALZteam Member

My mom likes to stare out her kitchen windows. I used to think it was because she wanted to go in her yard but I think it's just something she likes to do. She'll also sit alone in a room and stare staight ahead. That bothers me more than her looking out the window so I'll try to talk to her or turn on the television.

April 9, 2019
A myALZteam Member

My husband does that often. He just starts looking through all the doors and sometimes takes things. Its normal for them so put your important papers or items elsewhere where he dont look.

March 13, 2019
A myALZteam Member

My husband doesn’t talk a lot. He like to look out the windows too. He like to keep the curtains closed. I get tried of the curtains being closed. He can’t hear real will even with his aides, so it hard to talk to him he doesn’t understand some of what I talk about.

October 19, 2019
A myALZteam Member

Mom began just vocalizing in her throat. Just a constant internal hum, not monotone but expressiveness is there. Other times between all of that it's some clear words. Also some chattering, as if one is cold. She at time rambles some words or discussions with anyone she may be hallucinating is there. She will go back and forth to the door peeking out. Today saying something to someone that wasn't there. I hadn't read on anyone with these verbal communication symptoms before.

April 27, 2019 (edited)

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