No matter what I say to my mother, I have to repeat it and it's not her hearing. The other nite she ask me if she could have cake for her bedtime snack since her blood sugar was decent. I said you can, but it will spike your blood sugar and probably drop before morning too low with the insulin you take. You need some protein like milk or protein drink. She started getting upset, mumbling in the kitchen. When I ask what was wrong she said she didn't know what to eat. I said what did I just explain to you, she said you told me I can't have cake. Tonite I told her her grandson did not deposit the money she sent him. Ten seconds later she asked if he deposited the money. I do this all day with her and it is getting to me. She is not comprehending, not listening?????
It MIGHT help a little if you keep the message very short. "Sorry, Mom. No cake. Have a glass of milk." I know you want to explain, but that may get in the way of the basic message.
Giving memory quizzes (What did I just explain to you?) is generally discouraging to the person with dementia. It just gives them another chance at failing. Simply repeating the part they didn't take into their memory would be more helpful. "I don't know what to eat!" "Have a glass of milk and 1 graham cracker."
This is all just a part of your mother's dementia. I know it can drive you crazy! But it is not her fault and there is nothing you or she can do to prevent this, so try to relax and take it in stride. Come here to vent when you need to!