Provide structure and engage the person in a pleasant activity. Use memory aids. If the person asks the same questions over and over again, offer reminders by using notes, clocks, calendars or photographs, if these items are still meaningful. Accept the behavior, and work with it.
Repetitive questioning is a prominent feature of Alzheimer's disease, especially in the early stages when there may be no other features suggestive of Alzheimer's dementia.
Often if someone is repeating the same question, they need an emotional rather than factual response. This may be because the person feels confused or anxious. They need comfort, security or to feel included or reassured rather than the repeated answer to their question.
Repetitiveness. Elderly people with dementia may keep asking the same questions over and over again, no matter how many times you have given them the answer. They may also repeat sentences, phrases or entire stories word-for-word.
Expert explanation: REPETITIVE QUESTIONS are often triggered by anxiety caused by memory loss as well as boredom.
If you have a relative with Alzheimer's disease, you've probably experienced multiple conversational loops. A topic comes up and is addressed. Within a few minutes, however, your relative is back around to the same topic. Stuck on repeat. Repeating the topic multiple times during the course of a conversation.
Stay calm: Focus on preventing frustration and arguments
Try to remember that Same Story Syndrome is a common part of memory loss and we cannot do much to change it. People with dementia are unaware that they are repeating themselves, so it is not helpful to say to them, “you already told me that.”
In addition to short-term memory loss, potential causes of repetitive questioning include stress, anxiety, frustration, discomfort, and fear. A person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is often unsure of what's happening, where they are, or what time or day it is.
Don't Argue With the Person: It's never a good idea to argue with a person who has dementia. First of all, you can't win. And second, it will probably upset them or even make them angry.
Introduction: The five-word test (5WT) is a serial verbal memory test with semantic cuing. It is proposed to rapidly evaluate memory of aging people and has previously shown its sensitivity and its specificity in identifying patients with AD.
Reverse the question to see if the person already knows the answer to his/her own question. Suggest an alternative activity so the opportunity for interaction is maintained but the focus shifts from the attempt at conversation to something of mutual interest and less stress.
Rambling and long-winded anecdotes could be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, according to research that suggests subtle changes in speech style occur years before the more serious mental decline takes hold.
The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer's and other dementias is increasing age, but these disorders are not a normal part of aging. While age increases risk, it is not a direct cause of Alzheimer's. Most individuals with the disease are 65 and older. After age 65, the risk of Alzheimer's doubles every five years.
Alzheimer's disease – around eight to 10 years. Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years. Vascular dementia – around five years.
Signs and symptoms
The four A's of Alzheimer's disease are: amnesia, aphasia, apraxia, and agnosia.
They may be leading, where the manipulator tries to steer you in a certain direction, or loaded, where the question contains an assumption or accusation. The questions are repetitive — Manipulators may repeat the same question over and over again to wear you down or to get the answer they want.
Defining repetitive questioning
Repetitive questioning behaviour is when a child asks the same question repeatedly.
What do you call a person who keeps asking questions? The straight up, direct answer to your question is “inquisitive”. An inquisitive person is one given to asking questions.
Poor memory can also cause them to become fixated on subjects they are anxious about, as they cannot remember the answers to their questions or concerns.
People in the early stages of dementia may understand their diagnosis and its implications. However, it is important to note that dementia affects every person differently and that symptoms vary between people. In the later stages of dementia, individuals may not be aware of their condition.
“Pocketing” is a common tendency: keeping some food in the cheeks or back of the mouth rather than swallowing fully.
"I'm interested in what you say, but not when you repeat yourself." "(Name), I don't need to hear that again." "From now on, when you repeat yourself, I'm going to call you on it (or put my fingers in my ears.)"
Distract their repetitive thoughts. If dementia looping is harmful to the individual, it can be best to distract them from the thought. Try changing the topic of the conversation and refer to their children, grandchildren, or happy memories to get them out of the loop.