Follow
Share

I don't know what to do in order to redirect his thinking because it's impossible for him to go back home and live independently. 6 to 15 hours a day, he talks about this .

SheilaLyn, welcome to the forum. Does your patient had memory issues? If yes, those with dementia it is not uncommon for them to say they want to go "back home". Note that "home" is usually their childhood home back when they were young, playing with their siblings (if any), and enjoying their fun as a child.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to freqflyer
Report

You don't do anything about it. You listen. You tell him you are sorry he is so unhappy, and that's that.
I am not certain what this whole thing about "Happy-all-the-time" is.
This gentleman has been lucky if he and family can afford YOU. And he has lived long.
I would, if frustrated enough, perhaps ask him to tell you about other times when he was very unhappy with his life, and ask him how he handled his unhappy times.
Generally oldsters love to tell you all about the old days, which are the days they best remember.

Ask him if there's anything you can do for him that might lighten up his day.
And if not, just accept that end of life isn't an especially happy time of life.
As a caregiver, I know that you understand that. It is a time full of losses. I am 82. Some people are more accepting of that by nature; some aren't. He isn't.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report
SheilaLyn Nov 14, 2024
Thank you.
(1)
Report
See 1 more reply
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter