Do dementia patients think people are trying to kill them?

Oh yes my dad reached a point where he thought I was his brother instead of his son. In his mind he decided that I as his brother had put him in "prison" so I could spend his money. Three times he knocked a window out in the facility and jumped out, once he climbed the 7' high garden fence and jumped out. When they asked why, he said he was going to kill his brother for what he had done to him. When he saw he could not get away he would start screaming "help these people are trying to kill me" and fighting desperately. A couple of times he was so convincing that someone called the police. Needless to say my sister and I decided it was best for her to continue visiting but I should stay away for a while.

Yes, Yes Paranoia is common with dementia.

They also absorb TV news and think the news is what is going to happen to them.

Yes, people with dementia often fear that there are people after them. Paranoia is common with dementia.

I agree with Babalou. Medications for agitation should be considered. Even though it's just a delusion, you know that people aren't out to kill your mom, this is what she believes and it must be very scary for her. Continue to reassure her. Let her know that she is safe, that you aren't going to let anything happen to her. But try not to contradict her. These are her feelings, her fears, and they're valid because she believes them.

She needs to be seen by a geriatric psychiatrist.

How long has your mom been at the facility? Sometimes patients have delusions like this when first asmitted as their damaged brains try to make sense of the new living situation. Sometimes meds for agitation and anxiety are needed, sometimes short term, sometimes this is the new normal and meds are needed on a regular basis. Please note, these are not meds to "knock her out"; they are meds to calm her agitation and anxiety. Please let us know how you make out.