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” is the kindest, most respectful way to handle hallucinations and delusions.

Watching an aging parent or spouse progress through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease can be a heartbreaking experience. The loss of cognitive abilities becomes especially painful when mom or dad no longer recognizes their own family.

It can be difficult to distinguish scientifically proven options from hyped up “remedies” and expensive “cures.” Know what to look for in an alternative treatment and how to decide if it's worth trying.