Seeing child-like behaviors in loved one, anyone else?

My hubby was diagnosed with mci in April and was put on anti depressants right after. I’ve noticed that his mood is quite a bit better but I am noticing almost child like reactions too… in the strangest situations. We will be watching a movie together and in the last five minutes of the show, I’ll get a comment like “wow, she has a big nose”??? I also teach a small ladies group. He told one of the husbands last week that we had been meeting in secret without his wife?? It’s so strange. Yet, he’s still able to drive and work part time without issues right now. I sometimes forget about the diagnosis until these strange social behaviours start … and then it all hits home again. I miss my adult companion. Big hugs to you.

It was happening for many years, my cousin would watch cartoons on TV, and read children's books. I didn't realize this was beginning of dementia. About 4 years ago, her doctor had her evaluated by neurologist, and finally about 2 years ago she had to go into a memory care unit, as she could no longer live alone. Before going into memory care, she would call me maybe 12 times in a half hour to ask what day it was. She would take a month's worth of prescription medication in less than a week. The Dr then would only give her a prescription for one week's worth of medication. There were many, many other issues that then were obvious before she went into memory care.

Dear @judimahoney
Being a Child-adult for your husband?

> COMIC BOOKS/Cartoons <
Well. I’m the husband with my wife for the last 41 years. And I had dozens & dozens of comic books/magazines when I collected the new ones in the 80s just before we had our kids with a new house. Why? Decades ago, my mom got rid of my comics book when I was a kid as we moved to another state. Well, I still have these comic books that are kept up and could sell the “newest” type, but I’m not. It’s inside my dad’s 1940s wooden box.

> YEAH! <
You said, your husband might mean or he wants “going out…”. For me, I usually, that I can’t drive again, go with her COSTCO/Walmart/ Food Lion it our drugstore or reasturants or car-gas or… most of this I go with her and, yes, sometimes I use the word Yes, but not Yeah!

> I HOPE… <
I hope your husband could talk as a normal-way of what he needs, his help you or cleanup clothes or dinner food or…

Thx,
Greg D @greg1956

Hi Greg: in some ways he carries on like a typical adult, caring for himself and helping out with some chores.
My unprofessional opinion regarding why he's exhibiting child-like behaviors is that, in his brain, he wants to return to a simpler, more fun time when he had little to no responsibilities.
Thanks.
Judi

Yes, I am
My husband starts talking in the tone of a screaming 3 yr old when angry or frustrated. It grates on me so much that I have to run away. His behavior is much like a youngsters tantrums. I hate it so much. He comes to me for all his problems. I hate that, too. That's why I didn't want children. I have enough trouble taking care of myself after a difficult childhood.

Yes, mine does. It comes and goes too. He was diagnosed with MCI in 2020 and now is stage 4 dementia. His favorite thing to do is color, which I appreciate as it gives him something to do. He no longer drives. I agree with you @judimahoney, I think they want a simpler life since they don’t really fit into this one. My husband is 69, I wonder if this is more prominent in a certain dementia, since I don’t have a clear diagnoses on which one he has.
Taking one day at a time!

My husband, 67 tomorrow, also diagnosed with MCI last year (next visit with Neuro doc may give us update regarding if it's dementia).
Puzzles and painting are also favorite pastimes.
He no longer drives, but does exercise and walk daily.

We tell caregivers to expect anything that will range from childlike to teenage boy to grumpy old man. My son slides in and out of many attitudes daily and quickly. He watches adult cartoons like on “Adult Swim” but if we. Switch to cooking and baking shows he loves them. He also started watching hoarder/pawn shop contests, miniature golf contests and so many little contest shows on Netflix. If you start find these and try them with your husband he may be happy with them. You’ll have a change in your household sounds too.

Yes, Netflix is a favorite in our household.
Thanks. 😊