When you are on duty 24/7 as a carer with someone who has dementia you get to know their needs.  My wife dislikes using the telephone as she can’t find anything to talk about.  Sometimes I disconnect the land line to save her further anxiety and stress.   I discourage family from making calls and sometimes tell a ‘porkie’ on her behalf; saying she is asleep when calls come in for her.

She is now on her third call of the evening.  Her latest  call has been going on for over half an hour.  Well it is birthday and she is talking to her sister.