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My husband only Whispers: What can be done?
My husband is somewhere around stage 6 dementia. In the past 6 months or more he always whispers instead of talking. When I tell him to speak out loud, that I have trouble hearing him, he’ll usually say a few words in a regular voice, but it sounds like he’s straining to get the words out. About a year ago he was having trouble swallowing most foods, especially dry ones like bread products or chicken. I was really limited in what I could feed him. After an adjustment in medications, he regained the ability to swallow most foods and likes eating most everything. I thought the speaking was related and would come back too, but it hasn’t.
Has anyone else had this experience? Were you able to help?
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@hikingcaver
Maybe just nature documentaries on mute, or those programs that have no words, just music, while they show lovely scenes from around the world.
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1 Reaction@judimahoney I like the idea of nature shows on mute - THANK you!!
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1 Reactionmy husband also talks quiet only to me as far as him listening I go to him and touch his shoulder and he turns and then I ask him a question He seems to be in another world.. He has mild cognitive impairment . I am having trouble with his short term memory I have started making posted notes about what is coming up I never know what he remembers or not Can I still ask him if he remembers or not I get upset easy but I am getting better
Yes, the speech and eating are really intertwined. The muscles will weaken just like the rest of our muscles will eventually. You can try humming familiar tunes around him which may encourage him join, maybe with the music on so it’s not too much pressure. That will stimulate vagus nerve and give vocal cords some practice. For safe eating try popsicles or chew tubes filled with something he likes, like PB or Nutella - makes the tongue and cheeks work and we need their strength and coordination to form a bolus that’s safe to swallow. Medications ain’t got nothin on exercise when it comes to muscle strength! For added safety, avoid foods with mixed textures like chicken noodle soup or cereal with milk - while he’s working on the noodle of the corn flakes the liquid can trickle down due that loss in control. (That’s how people often get pneumonia.) Happy humming to you!