DEMENTIA DEALING WITH FALSE ACCUSATIONS

As dementia advances towards the revelation of Alzheimer's, the damage to the brain removes the ability to reason and this often manifests itself in paranoid delusions. Accusations of theft if something can't be found, claiming that family members are imposters and accusations that tradesmen are burglars etc.
Trying to reason with a loved one who is accusing his loving wife of forty years of being a 'Jezebel' is pointless. Alzheimer and dementia sufferers at this point have lost their ability to reason.
First listen to the person sympathetically and smile in a kindly way. Don't deny the accusation, divert the conversation by asking questions that will get a detailed response."When did you notice that they were missing?" "What made you think that?" Use humour if possible; "Darling, I'm old now, but you're stuck with me!"
Try and step into 'Alzheimer's world'. Encourage the loved one or patient to share their thoughts, perhaps the cause of the paranoid idea will be revealed and can be dealt with. Don't argue about the accusation and deny that it can be true. Divert and re-assure.

David Barnato.
Paarl. South Africa.
barnatod@blogspot.com