Up until the past two days, I have pretty well kept my patience dealing with my husband's LBD, but he has developed a new obsession, and it is driving me crazy!
For about two months (maybe more) he has not been able to figure out how to use his cell phone, and is obsessed with it. I know this is due to his decline in dementia.
He spent all morning yesterday, and two hours today, trying to make a call, but even with the side by side help I have given him, and the simple diagram I made for getting to his contact list, it doesn't work.
I suggested that he just put the phone away for a while, as he gets very frustrated, then angry, threatening to throw the phone, shoot himself, etc. Then he will calm down for a while.
Any suggestions on how to deal with this new obsession?
Also great to have landlines in case of an emergency at home, just dial 911 and the dispatcher will see on his/her screen your home address, so if the person calling is unable to speak due to a stroke or heart attack, EMT's can still be sent to the house quickly. Cellphones don't have the home address ability unless you order that option and pay for that service.... otherwise all dispatch sees is the nearest cell tower where the phone is pinging.
I have issues with my cellphone, too, hate it with a passion, but carry it only for emergencies and for simple texting. Cellphones have become just too complicated :P
Landlines are more reliable.
Was he previously a big user of his cell phone? Will he miss it much if it gets discreetly "lost" or perhaps returned to the retailer for repairs, hem-hem?
Who is it he wants to call so desperately? You may be better off addressing that and helping him find other ways to communicate.
Older people have problems with modern phones, especially cell phones. You can't just pick up and answer, you have to push a button. Often the volume is set too low. Cell phone buttons are too small and it is difficult for clumsy fingers to hit the right ones. Add in cognitive decline and at some point they just become unusable.
Help him salvage his pride. And redirect his attention to something he can handle, or do something he enjoys - go out to dinner, play an easy board game if he likes them.... and let him know the phone is defective and that it's not his problem.
Try to keep him refocused on something he can operate and perhaps he'll forget about the phone. Tell him there was a recall on that model, something like that.