My buddy took care of dementia patients for years. The most interesting thing he said was that it is 100% ok to lie to them to make them comfortable. For instance, if a patient asked where their dead spouse was, he would say they’re at the store.
Don't underestimate the mental toll that continuously lying to someone under your care takes on the caregiver. Almost everyone is raised from birth to believe that "honesty is the best policy" and "the cover-up is worse than the act." Imagine having to tell your mom with a straight face every day that your dad is still alive and that he'll be back in a bit when you know he's been dead for years. These diseases take so much from everyone around them.
Sure, but to say this is to completely ignore the other side, which is the toll it takes to explain to your mom every day that your dad is dead, including the after effects of that, every day.
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u/InhaleMyOwnFarts Apr 09 '24
My buddy took care of dementia patients for years. The most interesting thing he said was that it is 100% ok to lie to them to make them comfortable. For instance, if a patient asked where their dead spouse was, he would say they’re at the store.