CAREGIVING

6 Tips for Caring for Someone with Dementia - Tip 3

By Temma Ehrenfeld @temmaehrenfeld
 | 
September 26, 2017
31 Mar 2006 --- Profile of an elderly couple dancing and listening to music --- Image by © Rubberball/Corbis

Let her keep her fantasies.

When your mother talks about your dead father as if he was alive or asks “When is he coming home?” it’s hard to resist correcting her. But at that point she can’t learn new information, so you’ll just upset her if you tell her he’s not coming home, ever. Arguing simply won’t work, says Ruth Drew, director of family and information services for the Alzheimer’s Association, a national nonprofit. You might say, “Not just yet” and let her mind drift to the next thing.

 

 

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Updated:  

April 07, 2020

Reviewed By:  

Janet O’Dell, RN