Medication Refusal in Dementia: Practical Strategies That Actually Work
“They keep spitting it out.” “They clench their jaw and won’t open their mouth.” “They say they don’t need it anymore.” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Medication refusal is one of the most stressful and common challenges in dementia caregiving. Why People with Dementia Refuse Medication Refusing medication is rarely about stubbornness. It’s […]
Understanding and Responding to Sexual Disinhibition in Dementia
Understanding and Responding to Sexual Disinhibition in Dementia “Why are they doing this? Is it me? How do I even begin to handle something so uncomfortable?” These are common, heartfelt questions many caregivers ask when confronted with sexual disinhibition in someone they love living with dementia. It’s a challenging behavior that can evoke a mix […]
The Shadowing Phase: Understanding and Managing Constant Following in Dementia
The Shadowing Phase: Understanding and Managing Constant Following in Dementia “Why do they follow me everywhere? I can’t even go to the bathroom alone!” This is a common, often whispered, question from caregivers supporting a person living with dementia. The experience of being constantly followed, sometimes called shadowing, can be emotionally draining and physically exhausting. […]
The Ethics of Therapeutic Fibbing: When Comfort Outweighs the Truth in Dementia Care
For anyone raised on the principle that “honesty is the best policy,” caregiving for a loved one with dementia presents a painful moral paradox. During my six+ years as a caregiver for three family members, I faced this dilemma constantly: Do I tell the truth and cause immediate emotional trauma, or do I “fib” to […]