What should you do when your loved one with dementia believes someone who has been dead for years is still alive? When they ask about them, what do you say? When they think they see them, should you tell them the person isn't there and died years
ago?
This article is part 2 of a two-part series about Katya De Luisa, a dementia educator, caregiver coach, and author of “Journey through the Infinite Mind–the Science and Spirituality of Dementia.” The first part, which was published a week ago on our blog, was about one facet of De Luisa’s writings — communication through art — where she accomplished a nearly impossible feat of
getting someone who is nonverbal to communicate with words to a loved one. Read it here.
In her writings, Katya also explores the topic of whether you should correct someone with dementia about a loved one who has passed away, when he or she feels like they are still alive. It’s discussed in more detail in DEMENTIA INSIDE OUT Series #8 “I SEE DEAD PEOPLE” by Katya De Luisa. I will provide some of the highlights below.
Do We Remind a Loved One with Dementia that Someone has Died?
