Echo …
For the past couple of weeks or so, Bob has been having echolalia. That’s where a person repeats a word or phrase over and over. For example, he’ll say, “Yeah” about once per second, five or six times. “Yeah … yeah … yeah … yeah … yeah … yeah,” and then stop for a while.
I did a net-search for the condition and found an excellent ARTICLE about how to handle repetitive behaviors.
After reading the advice given in the article, when Bob was again repeating “Yeah,” I talked to him reassuringly, letting him know that I know it’s hard for him now to get the words out, but that I’m always watching out for him and everything is being taken care of, that he’s in a safe place, and so on.
He struggled with some words and then said something about having botched something. I told him it’s okay, that I’ll help him get it done right, that we’ll do it together, that it’s okay if it’s not done perfectly. A look of relief relaxed his face, and he said, “Thank you.”
Caring for a person with severe AD requires that you anticipate their needs and meet those needs to the best of your ability without wearing yourself out. In our case, I’ve found that when I explain things to Bob, it reassures him, even though I know he can’t quite follow what I’m talking about.
All human beings crave caring, comfort and connection, even more so when we feel small, scared and unwell. Just knowing someone is on your side can make a big difference, even to a person with severe AD.
