Very interesting.

I've gotten one of my sister's to "play along" with my mom like this, but my other sibs so far don't get it.

When I had to move my mom into a home a few years ago, we were fortunate enough to find an amazing caregiver who taught me to just go with the flow. Sometimes it's a little hard -- like when we touch on some past trigger -- but at those times, distraction is a great tool. At least once a day I shout, "Look! A squirrel!"

But seriously, my mom was a nurse and she's still a mom, so the best thing I've stumbled upon to distract her is to tell her about some affliction -- a bruise, a cut, a stomach ache. No matter what she was doing or saying at the time, she immediately goes into nurture mode. It's good for both of us....