Talking to self for hours

My grandmother with Alzheimer’s used to talk to herself in a mirror. We at least knew that she wasn’t lonely. If it got to us we could just cover the mirror but we seldom did. At least she is happy.

Hello @boston19 I am Scott and I helped take care of my mother-in-law when she had dementia. She, too, had a period in her disease where she would talk to herself. I don't recall how long this stage lasted, but it ended as abruptly as it began.

It is always nice to hear others have some of the same experiences in caregiving! Thanks for raising this topic here!

Strength, courage, and peace!

My wife of 61 years, she is 79 years old, has Alzheimer's. Her Father, Sister and Brother all died with Alzheimer's. For the past 2 months, she talks to herself (in a whisper). From the time she wakes up in the morning until she goes to sleep, she mumbles in a whisper. When I can understand, she is often is talking with her sister or our daughter.

My wife talks constantly. Often mumbling in a whisper. I have hearing problems so it really complicates things. Many times she says something which I don't understand I ask "what", to which she responds "what". She has never had any hobbies other than reading and interacting with children. I have recently purchased an interactive Doll. It has been great for her and me. It babbles and laughs a lot to she keeps occupied with it for hours. I can actually get some chores done when she has the doll. It is available on amazon for $80 and is worth every penny...Lova Belle is the name.

Hello @billmullins I am Scott and it's nice to e-meet you here. I am sorry to read about the terrible amount of Alzheimer's Disease in your wife's family and that your wife now has it too.

At times during her illness, my wife also would mumble to herself. When I asked her doctor about this he said it could be that she was totally unaware she was doing it, since when I would try and talk with her about it, she couldn't recall anything she had been saying. I also remember at times my wife would be 'sure' I was standing in the room next to her, when I was elsewhere in the house.

It is a big challenge for caregivers when our beloved patients are having challenges in communicating -- especially when we hang on every word or mumble they offer us!

I am so glad you are here on Connect! Caregiving can be so isolating, and Connect is can be a way of breaking down that isolation -- plus lots of caregivers here can offer support, ideas, and advice based on their experiences!

I look forward to hearing from you again whenever you have the time!

Courage, strength, and peace!

Thanks @alanm What a great idea!

My husband is doing the same thing. He talks to himself, and sometimes it seems like he is talking to someone else next to him who is not really there. He makes jokes and laughs and talks about me as if he is talking to someone else, e.g., she's washing the dishes now. I like her curly hair. etc. This just started about 2 weeks ago and for the most part I ignore it, but it is starting to really get to me.

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect @ginnies . We’re glad you’re here! I know you will find these discussions helpful. Check out all of the ones under Caretakers. They are equally great!

My husband's constant "mumbling/muttering" and other odd noises he makes throughout the day gets on my nerves as well, but what can we do? It's mostly a problem for me when it's time for bed. When I ask him to settle down and whisper he says that he's not doing anything and just keeps going. He has been taking lexapro pretty since the beginning of his diagnosis 3 years ago for his anxiety and depression, and I don't feel like it helps anymore. Not only has he been making these "new" sounds in the past few months, he's been having "soft harmless" hallucinations, so the dr. has now put him on Seroquel, which should help, especially at bedtime since it seems to take him hours, at times, to fall asleep. It HAS been helping for the most part, but there are still nights where it isn't. I guess it's just one of those things that I will have to adjust to because he can't help it. Ohhh how i hate this disease!!!! We have a follow up in another month to see how it's working...so who knows, maybe they'll up his dose a little since it seems to be helping but just not on a consistent basis at this low dose. I too try to ignore these quirks and ticks that he has developed, but it's hard to when Im not not getting good sleep and we all know that as caregivers, we need to take care of ourselves so we can be the best for our loved ones.
Hugs, strength and peace to you

My husband talks to himself nonstop. This is a more recent issue as we approach year 15. He speaks very softly so it really does not bother me much. We have been through so many more serioys issues over these many,many years with no end in sight.