Repetition in people with dementia

Key messages

Memory problems in dementia often cause people to repeat themselves. This may test our patience, but there are various things we can do to help. Memories that are shared frequently are often very significant for the person. People with dementia often repeat words or actions, and this is because of problems with short-term memory caused by dementia. Although this can be difficult, we can respond more effectively if we take notice of the feelings and needs behind the repetition.

People with dementia often have fascinating stories to tell, and we can learn much about the past.

It’s important to be aware that the person’s poor memory is something they can’t help. The memory loss in dementia is caused by physical changes: the parts of the brain that record and store new information become damaged, so the person is unable to hold the memory of what they’ve said, asked or done and any response they’ve received.

Why is this happening?

Some reasons why a person with dementia may repeat themselves:

-The person’s short-term memory is impaired and they have no recollection of having already said or asked something.
-The person’s repetitive questions may suggest both a need for information and an emotional need. Repeated stories often represent highly significant memories.
-The person may repeat themselves because they want to communicate and cannot find anything else to say.
-The person might have become ‘stuck’ on a particular word, phrase or action.
-The person might be bored and under-occupied.

Getting stuck

Sometimes people can get ‘stuck’ – repeating a particular set of words or phrase. Here, we will need to work out whether the person is using these words to communicate something, or whether the repetition is outside the person’s own control, in which case it can be helpful to prompt the person gently to help them get ‘unstuck’.

People may also repeat actions – for example, someone may take clothes out of a drawer, re-fold them and put them away again, and continue to do this many times. This could represent a meaningful activity for the individual (perhaps relating to a past habit) but if repeated actions seem to be causing distress, or seem to suggest that the person is bored, it may be appropriate to try to interest the person in a new activity.

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