Repetitive Stories: A Common Sign of Dementia

Same-story syndrome in dementia patients is a common issue, as they often repeat statements due to memory problems. This can be challenging for us, but it’s important to help these individuals. In dementia, short-term memory gets weaker, making people repeat words or actions. What they repeat is usually important to them.

A study published in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias found that repetitive verbalizations occur in about 50-60% of individuals with dementia

Even with repetition, dementia patients can still share amazing stories from their past. It’s important to remember that they can’t help forgetting things. Dementia affects parts of the brain that handle new information, causing them to forget what they’ve said or done. Understanding this can help us be more patient with them.

What Causes Same-Story Syndrome in Dementia Patients?

Possible explanations why Dementia patients may repeat themselves include:

The individual’s short-term memory is affected, and they cannot recall saying or asking something before.
The person’s repeated questioning might indicate a desire for information and emotional support.
Stories that are told repeatedly are frequently associated with key memories.
Since they want to converse and can’t think of anything else to say, the individual may repeat themselves.
The individual may have become stuck on a specific word, phrase, or action.
It’s possible that the person is bored and unoccupied.

4 Ways to React to Repetitive Questioning or Storytelling due to Dementia

Pay attention to the feelings instead of the statements: Whenever an elderly individual starts repeating things repeatedly, attempt to figure out what emotions are driving the behaviour. If you sense they’re worried, for example, a quick embrace or hand squeezing while gently answering could settle them down sufficient for them to stop repeating it.
. Keep your responses to a minimum: It’s easy to respond to a query from someone with Alzheimer’s Dementia disease with a standard reply you’d provide to anyone else. However, in this scenario, it’s better to keep your statement as brief and basic as necessary. It will save you mental energy and reduce frustration once you have to explain yourself several times.
Engage in a diversionary activity: Distracting somebody with Dementia from something they love is the only method to motivate them to stop asking repetitious questions. Giving a meal or a preferred drink is one example. You might also pose a simple query to get them to focus on something else, such as “Isn’t it lovely that the weather is nice nowadays?” Another option is to encourage them to assist you with a basic activity they can still complete, such as folding clothes.
Take a break for a while: Once they have said the same statement a dozen times, it’s difficult to retain your temper and not react to somebody else. Everyone’s tolerance loses appeal at some point, particularly if it’s not the first time. To take a break, you may only need to walk out of place for a few moments. Do a little relaxing exercise, take a deep breath, or listen to music.

Conclusion

Suppose your Dementia disease-affected relative tells you the same tale, asks the same question, or keeps repeating the same dialogue. In that case, informing them that they’re repeating themselves is pointless. When this happens, everybody feels awful, and Alzheimer’s patient is doing all that they can. Individuals with this condition attempt to converse, keep track of things, and remain relevant. By calling out repeat, you merely add to their shame and irritation.

FAQs

What causes Dementia sufferers to be so agitated?

That might be an indication of Dementia-related physical abnormalities in the mind. A person may get irritated rapidly due to a sudden or particular trigger, such as increasing loudness or inability to perform a task.

What factors contribute to the rapid progression of Dementia?

Alzheimer’s tends to progress more rapidly if a patient with other health problems like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or high cholesterol does not manage these conditions well.

Repeating occurs at what stage of Dementia?

People with Dementia at all levels widely exhibit verbal repetition, although it most commonly indicates moderate Dementia. Researchers have identified it as a symptom in half of all participants and in two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s Dementia disease.

What causes people with Dementia to fabricate stories?

The person is inclined to put up a battle to maintain the appearance of ‘normalcy’ and control. They may make up a tale to fill in the blanks in their memory about something or someone they can’t recall.