After drawing this week’s comic I realize I look incredibly mean, but I swear I’ve heard these stories a thousand times. Gran also asks questions so quickly that I can’t possibly answer them all in time.
Talking in loops or circles is common in advanced stages of dementia. There are communication strategies for talking to someone with the disease. Another tip is to keep them entertained and distract them whenever they get upset. I’m not going to begin to comment on the ethics of using technology as a babysitter other than it can serve as a great distraction and provide a much needed break. Haven’t slept in days? Click on the TV. If they can work an IPad, pull that out too.
The above scenario only happened twice, but I found it funny because Gran is such a high energy person that she never takes naps. It’s like she has an endless Chatty Cathy string. Indeed on one of the aide’s first days she suggested that Gran might want to take a nap to which I responded, “yeah, that’s not happening. Try a walk.”
So no promises, but if you’re having a particularly rough day of caregiving and your elderly one won’t take a nap, try clicking on “A New Hope.” May the force be with you.
Middle Fingers of Love: The Granny Files 
Try the three Star Wars prequels; they would put anyone to sleep.
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Excellent point! I will try that next time. The only problem is I might fall asleep.
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Yes, the repetition. No, not mean, there is only so many times one can hear the same thing.
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I realized this the other day when trying to learn a website. I had no idea the endless barking is on top of it. How do u do it? I love gran and I love the Luis dog but both were hard to handle. Do u keep earplugs handy?
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