Dementia Behaviors

Shadowing and repeating questions are troubling behaviors associated with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Caregivers often are annoyed with these behaviors and try to correct them, but it is important to remember that it's not that simple.

People in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia often live in an altered reality. Validating a loved one’s perceptions via “therapeutic fibbing” can be the kindest, most respectful way to handle hallucinations and delusions.

When a parent with dementia begins acting childlike or deceitful, it is sometimes assumed they are being manipulative because their behavior is just so outrageous. The fact is that most seniors with dementia aren't capable of truly manipulative behavior.

Memory loss is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, but neurological damage can also cause patients to make up stories and false accusations. The latter symptom is upsetting for caregivers, who are often the targets of these behaviors.