My wife has dementia and we now live in NC. My wife will sometimes start packing a bag saying she has to go back to NH to be with her kids.

My mil is packing all the time to go home.., asking to go home etc.. I finally convinced my husband he needs to tell the white lies ..

yup, your all set for tomorrow
the movers are coming next week

tell her the airline called and flight rescheduled for next week…
rinse , repeat your therapeutic lies…

She's thinking of her kids, missing them. Reminiscencing about fond memories? Is there a photo album to get out?

Keep using the same old white lies. She’s probably not remembering what you said last time.

Have you tried telling her that the house is being renovated and you can’t go back yet ?