My Father’s Brain. Life in the shadow of Alzheimer’s

By Jauhar Sandeep

As my mother ages, her dementia grows. I read this to gain perspective. 

How much should we correct those with Alzheimer’s? People with dementia are prone to making stuff up to cover for their mental gaps. One perspective is that we deny someone their humanity if we don’t push back on their self deception, if we allow someone to believe their lies.

The other perspective is that dementia is steeling their humanity and there is nothing we can do to change that. If the lie is harmless, then let it be. You and the person will both be happier.

Alzheimer’s and dementia both end in death. We must accept that. When you work with these elderly, you are working for their quality of life, not for their cure.