Grandma is still pretty alert and a kind person. But she will talk to visitors and ppl who call on the phone asking for one of us about very personal things-- "I was sitting on the toilet when you called." And she will also talk about being "regular" and being constipated. If she just said those things to us, no problem. But she discusses this with total strangers and ppl she doesn't know well. Your suggestions please.
2007-09-14 16:25:31 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
Be thankful that it is all Grandma talks about. The callers can deal with it themselves. If they don't like it they can always hang up.
Can you imagine what would happen if she was talking about what YOU were doing at the time that allowed her to answer the phone?..."I'm sorry but Missy can't come to the phone right now. She's making whoopy with the handyman in the garden shed"....Now THAT would be embarrassing!
Really, some elderly people get fixated on their bowel functions. This was about the only topic of conversation my 93 year old father indulged in for the last year of his life. You just listen patiently (if you love them) and allow the conversation to die it's own death.
As to your grandmother telling others, I suggest replacing your land lines with cordless phones, and then putting the resting stations for the handsets in rather unaccessible places. If grandma can't see the phone, she can't answer it either.
2007-09-15 01:09:51 · answer #1 · answered by Susie Q 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say how old Grma was or mention any other behaviors. It's possible that she's a little senile OR maybe she really thinks those things are as important to everybody as they are to her. :O)))
Life becomes quite basic eventually for all of us.
I don't think you're going to have much of an effect on Grma although you could try to just have a simple little talk with her about not discussing those things outside of your family.
Bottom line is, if she seems to be carrying on 'other business' of the day (no pun intended), in appropriate ways, then it's just one of those sweet lovely little perks about being around older folks who have very few inhibitions and no taboo subjects.
Look at it this way, at least she's not giving out her SS# and handing her money over to strangers in scams.
Good Luck!
2007-09-15 00:54:49 · answer #2 · answered by autumlovr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be glad that your grandma is still with you and just enjoy her while you can. My own grandma would talk like that in the last few years that we had her here. My own parents are starting to say stuff that they wouldn't have said in the past them selves. Yes they some times embarrass me, but I try to just blow it off the best I can or try to make a joke of it. For the most part other folks don't think anything about it at all. I think it is really just because they want someone to talk to that is different than the same people at the time and that is all. Just try to enjoy her now while you still have her.
2007-09-14 23:54:13 · answer #3 · answered by SapphireB 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are your friends and visitors offended. If so get over it because that is what older people talk about. Do not be embarrassed because they ALL DO IT. As you become older you become obsessed with your bowel movements and bowel patterns.
I used to work with old people for ten years. I became an expert in poop, color, consistency, reg, irregular, sound, odor,everything but flavor.
I would suggest you brush up on your poop knowledge and humor grandma. When you get older you will do the same thing. That's what they do, anyone who has a grandma knows this.
Tell her to call me I'll discuss bowel movements with her my grandma died a few years ago.
2007-09-18 11:54:04 · answer #4 · answered by staymay 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's part of the aging process for some people. I doubt if there is a quick and simple fix for it but I suggest you just keep reminding her on a daily basis that it is unnecessary to share those tidbits with people with whom it does not concern and it would be much better if she keeps personal or sensitive matters within the walls of your home for discussion only with family members that are involved. Bless her heart it just shows that at this point in her life these are the things that are most important to her and she loves to make conversation so this happens to be the topics that are foremost in her mind.
2007-09-20 11:57:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a delicate situation and takes great patience and tenderness to help her. Take time with just you and grandma and tell her how much you love her, how much you enjoy her being there and feeling at home. Then very gently make her aware that maybe she says a little too much about very personal things. She is probably getting senile and does not realize what she is diong. I had a stroke several years ago and the first 2 or 3 years afterwards, I was a "motor-mouth" and I blush remembering things I would say. I wasn't aware. Help her become aware with loving kindess in your words.
2007-09-14 23:38:33 · answer #6 · answered by Wrong number 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sorry nothing you can do about that - my 83 year-old father does the same - goes into embarrassing and graphic details - especially about bowel movements (what is it with bowel movements and the elderly) with anyone who will listen. Good thing I'm usually not around but get to find out from the neighbors. Oh the neighbors are kept informed too.
2007-09-22 12:41:50 · answer #7 · answered by Scarlet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Questions like this just put my bowels in an uproar and it pains me so. Do remember these are the important things in life to some of us. And also, may I suggest you take her to the doc to get something for her constipation. Don't do it over the counter unless her doc says it's OK. There are a lot of really great cures for what ails her out there in the complicated world.
2007-09-17 13:52:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had to chuckle at this one, as my aunt started the same thing when she was old - even worse, she would crack really dirty jokes - very inappropriate for her age to say the least, never mind embarrassing.
I think you should just have a chat to her and say Grandma, there are things which we don't discuss which are inappropriate. You can talk about them with us, but not with anyone else, OK? Let's hope she remembers.
2007-09-20 15:14:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
(11)
She has probably been doing things like this all of her life. You just were too busy with your own life to notice.
Grandma sounds fine to me. She may be a bit lonely, at times and feels that she needs to talk to someone.
Check with your Council on the Aging or RSVP, (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), they may be able to help.
I'd check with my Leisure Services or City Recreation Department to see if there might be some Senior Programs that she could get involved in. Maybe she's just bored.
Of course, with everyone's busy life & schedules, Granny seems to be left out of the mix.
2007-09-22 12:38:23 · answer #10 · answered by ♫ Bubastes, Cat Goddess♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋