Behavior Guidance
Repetitive questions — staying patient with the 50th "what time is it?"
Short-term memory holds new information for less than a minute in moderate dementia. To them, each question is the first time.
Updated 2026-02-20
What helps the question stop coming
- Answer simply and once: "It's 2 o'clock."
- Show, don't explain. A large clock or whiteboard with the day's plan.
- Redirect to an activity, song, or snack — the new input replaces the question.
- Accept that some questions will recur no matter what.
What helps YOU stay patient
- Notice you're being asked something — they're not trying to annoy you.
- Schedule breaks for yourself in the day.
- Use respite care so you're not the only voice.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it normal to feel angry about this?
- Yes. Every caregiver does. The anger is at the disease, not the person. Saying that out loud helps.
Every dementia journey is different.
Memory Lane Care helps you understand what applies to your loved one, what to expect next, and which resources fit your family's situation.
Related across the journey
Memory Lane connects every part of dementia care. Here's how this topic threads into the rest.
Resources
Hard Conversations
Paying for Care
Treatments
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