Sign in

or Register now

OurAlzheimer's.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
  • Font size
Receive a FREE Osteoarthritis of the knee pamphlet. Start here.

Reply to an Answer

In response to:
My mother used to appear perfectly normal, yet tell a different angle on the same story to every person she saw. Many people thought I was the one with a problem, since I said my mother had dementia, and they couldn't "see it." Yet, had they visited with her more than once a month, they would have figured it out quickly.   People with dementia aren't lying. Depending on the stage they are in, they are painfully aware of the gaps in their memory and trying to cover by filling in with whatever seems to fit (Mom was a genius at this), or they are no longer aware of their memory problem and just telling their reality as it is at the moment. They are telling their truth.   In my opinion, it is only hurtful to "call them on it." This is not an attempt to decieve for the purpose of gain. People who do this are just trying to figure out how to live with the condition they find themselves in and trying to make sense of the world as they see it.   If someone else is hurt by what is said, try to take that person aside and explain the situation. Most people are compassionate enough to at least try to understand. Some may doubt that you know what you are talking about, so get used to that. All you can do is try. Carol
Subject:
Comment:
Note: This Display Name will be publicly visible on your SharePosts, your profile on this site, and the rest of the Internet. To maintain your anonymity do not include personally identifiable information (such as your name or email address) in your Display Name, SharePosts, or any other public postings on our site.