Thanks for this article. My wife of 46 years developed Parkinson's disease in 2002 and was diagnosed with Parkinson's psychosis about 3 years ago. In the very beginning of the psychosis she was experiencing elaborate delusions which included seeing me as several different men in some kind of a work environment located in our home. Since then, and after receiving treatment with various meds, she only has issues "seeing" me. She has no trouble knowing our kids, grandkids, or our extended families including my family (her in-laws). I am grateful that it's just me she has trouble seeing or knowing, but it's extremely frustrating for me and her as well. I've been searching for answers for these issues and your article on Capgras syndrome has exactly described my situation. I also found a lot of similarities for our challenges in Lewy Body Dementia, which I know is similar to Parkinson's dementia. Anyway, thanks again for the article and if there are any tips or tricks I can use, please let me know. It's good to know that other people are facing some of the same challenges we're facing.

My 83 year old husband thinks I leave the house at night. He calls me Mom and wcants Mom to help him find me (Carolyn) He panics and looks everywhere, trunk of car, in closets, under the sink, weird places and gets angry if I tell him I am Carolyn and would not leave him. I don't know how to handle the situation!

From 1993 for 6-1/2 years when I was POA/guarduan for my aunt with alcohol dementia, she thought I was my mom (my mom was her 2-year-old elder sister). My mom wanted to correct my aunt's reality, but it was so much more pleasant and relaxing to just go along with it.

I had to "fight" my mom on this issue for a while and just opted to keep them apart so there was no explaining to do.

Eventually when I did get them together, my mother would still be the big sister and try to tell my aunt what to do (they were both nearing 80 at this time). My aunt thought that my mother was just a friend of mine. My mom finally "got it".

At my mother's house one time, when she tried to tell my aunt to do something, my aunt said, "I don't have to listen to you - - you're nothing to me!"

My mom responded, "Well, you're here in my house, under my roof, and you DO have to do what I say!"

And my aunt just said, "Oh, ok." ... and did it.

Hahahahaha...much easier.

Thank you for your assistance. I will attempt to use your suggestions to maintain a relationship with my wife as long as i can. It is apparent you do know the anxiety it has caused me to loose the love of my wife of 53 years.

What is it when your Mother 89, makes up stories? Dead cousins grandchildren visiting from foreign countries, dog pooping in neighbors yard & neighbor complaining. Running over to apologize, and turns out it never happened.

even if a demented elder cant make a hit on your facial features , they can recognize you by your body language , actions and your nature .
consistency is important if you want the elder to trust you .
ive been face blind most of my life . i recognize shapes , voice and posture .

Thank you for sharing this. My Dad had times when he would think I was one of my sisters or sometimes a stranger. He made my brother show him his drivers license when he came to care for him one day. I am not sure if it was Capgras but it was still so difficult and happened literally overnight. One day fine the next day he fell and broke his hip and never came back to himself after surgery.

This is a great article and was very helpful to. Me. Thank you 😊