How to answer when H insists that "World War III" is imminent? Tomorrow or soon. He has scenarios with paratroopers from Russia & China LANDING ON OUR STREET! "And we don't even have a gun" he laments! He cautions me not to go anywhere, in case war starts and I'm not home. Also, "Tell your friends." I feel frustrated, as he's been saying all this for months, seeming not to recall how long he's been saying this. I feel that I have to justify every errand and outing I take.We live in a small Midwest town. Anyone else dealing with such issues?
We are living in a strange world right now, and the news catastrophizing everything to get more viewers makes it so much worse.
You will need to control what goes into his brain, then redirect or distract him if he gets agitated or paranoid.
If he isn't of meds for anxiety/depression/agitation maybe now is the time to have this convo with his doctor.
If he has internet access maybe it's time to cut this out as well and just provide a device with games on it (my Mom uses my old iPad to play card and other games that are loaded on it).
Provide peaceful things that he can "watch", like a birdfeeder and bird bath. Or innocuous books, like bird or animal books or puzzles. You can make up tasks, like sorting through a large amount of nuts and bolts that you "need" him to pair, or sort a whole laundry basket of colorful and patterned socks (that are dedicated for this pupose). I had my Aunt folding a large stack of kitche towels, cutting veggies, and sorting colorful poker chips -- which she immediately put into geometric patterns because she was a graphic designer before retirement.
Tell us all about your husband's diagnostic workup and what you were told about his diagnosis and prognosis.
This sort of catastrophizing is quite common to many dementias.
What other symptoms are you seeing?
How have you educated yourself about the disease that has struck hubby? For instance, have you seen any Teepa Snow videos on youtube or other places, and can you identify with the situations she portrays?
Any chance your hubby likes the old western TV series? If so, there are quite a few good shows on cable. I still enjoy watching Rawhide and Bonanza. The old game shows are good, too, if you think hubby can play along.
My Dad use to watch the weather channel all day. Mom didn't mind as it kept Dad busy. The only problem would be Dad would call me to tell me that the schools in Chicago were closed due to the snow.... Great, Dad, thanks (I lived in Virginia).