Caring for a loved one with dementia often means responding when they ask about people who have died. This article explores why such requests happen, the ethical balance between truth and comfort, and concrete, stage‑specific communication techniques. You’ll find sample scripts, environmental adjustments, an FAQ for common dilemmas, and an action plan to reduce distress at home.
Why People with Dementia Ask About Deceased Relatives
When your father, who is living with dementia, asks when his wife is coming home, it can stop you in your tracks. You know his wife, your mother, passed away five years ago. This question isn’t just a simple memory lapse; it’s a window into the complex world of a mind altered by dementia. Understanding what drives these painful questions is the first step in learning how to respond with compassion and effectiveness. It’s less about correcting a fact and more about decoding an unmet need.
The brain changes caused by dementia don’t erase memories all at once. Instead, they affect memory in a specific pattern. Short-term memory, which holds information like what you had for breakfast, is often the first to go. Long-term memories from childhood, young adulthood, or mid-life can remain vivid and accessible for much longer. For your loved one, a memory from 1975 can feel more real and immediate than a conversation from five minutes ago. They aren’t just remembering the past; in their reality, they are reliving it. When your dad asks for his wife, he may genuinely be in a moment where he is a young husband waiting for her to return from an errand.
This disconnect from present reality is compounded by several cognitive challenges. One is confabulation, where the brain, in an attempt to make sense of missing information, invents details to fill the gaps. It’s not lying; it’s a subconscious coping mechanism. Another is anosognosia, a lack of awareness of one’s own illness. Up to 80% of people with Alzheimer’s experience this. They don’t know their memory is impaired, so from their perspective, their reality is the correct one. Sometimes, misidentification occurs, where they might see you, their child, but believe you are their spouse, sibling, or parent from long ago.
Beyond the mechanics of memory, these questions are often powered by deep emotional and physical needs. The request for a deceased person is frequently a stand-in for a feeling they can’t otherwise express. It can be a symptom of profound loneliness, a search for the comfort and security that person once provided. Grief itself can become stuck in a loop. Because they can’t retain the new information of the death, they may re-experience the loss each time they are reminded, or they may simply revert to a time when the feeling of loss wasn’t present. Unmet physical needs are also common culprits. A person who can’t articulate “I’m hungry,” “I’m in pain,” or “I’m tired” might instead call out for a person they associate with care and comfort, like a mother or a spouse.
How these questions manifest often depends on the stage of dementia.
- In the mild stage, the person may have moments of clarity. The question might be a factual search stemming from recent memory loss. For example, “I haven’t heard from my brother today. Is he okay?” They might be momentarily forgetting he passed away last year and a gentle reminder could be appropriate.
- In the moderate stage, the past and present blur significantly. The person is often living in a different time. The question is based on an emotional reality, not a factual one. An example would be, “I need to get home to make dinner for my husband.” Arguing that her husband died a decade ago is arguing with a reality that feels completely true to her.
- In the severe stage, language becomes more fragmented. A name may become a symbol for a core need. Hearing “Mom… Mom…” might not be a request for a person at all, but a plea for comfort, warmth, or safety.
Sensory triggers can launch a person into these past realities in an instant. An old photograph, a familiar song on the radio, or the smell of a specific perfume can act as a time machine, prompting a question about someone connected to that memory. Before responding, take a moment to assess the situation. Is your loved one calm and asking a simple question, suggesting a factual search? Or are they agitated, pacing, or crying, indicating deep emotional distress? Understanding the likely cause—a memory glitch, a sensory trigger, an emotional need, or physical discomfort—is your most powerful tool. It allows you to shift your goal from enforcing the truth to providing the comfort they are truly seeking.
Ethical and Clinical Considerations for Truth and Comfort
When your loved one asks for someone who has passed away, you’re faced with a difficult choice. Do you tell the truth and risk causing fresh pain, or do you offer a comforting response that isn’t factually correct? This decision is not about right or wrong in a simple sense. It is about navigating a complex ethical landscape where the primary goal is always the well-being of the person you care for. The best response is guided by a few core principles that prioritize their emotional and physical safety above all else.
The ultimate goals of your communication should be to preserve dignity, reduce distress, maintain trust, and keep your loved one safe. Let’s look at what each of these means in practice.
- Preserving Dignity.
Dignity is tied to a person’s sense of self and their reality. For someone living with dementia, their reality may be a blend of past and present. To bluntly correct them can feel like an attack, telling them their feelings and perceptions are wrong. This can be deeply shaming and confusing. Upholding their dignity means entering their world and responding to the emotion behind their words, not just the factual error. - Reducing Distress.
This is often the most immediate goal. The truth can be brutal. Forcing a person to relive the grief of a loved one’s death over and over again is a form of emotional harm. Clinical experience shows that blunt correction leads to significant agitation in a majority of cases, sometimes causing distress that lasts for days. The objective is to bring calm and comfort, not to win an argument about facts. - Maintaining Trust.
Your relationship is the foundation of care. If your loved one feels constantly corrected or contradicted, they may begin to see you as an adversary rather than an ally. Trust is fragile. They need to feel that you are on their side, a source of safety and comfort. A gentle, validating response builds this trust, while repeated corrections can erode it over time. - Ensuring Safety.
This principle can sometimes override the others. If your loved one’s belief is leading to unsafe behavior, like trying to leave the house in the middle of the night to find their deceased spouse, your response must prioritize stopping that unsafe action. In these moments, a different strategy might be needed to ensure they remain physically secure.
Weighing these goals means understanding the potential harm of each approach. The harm of blunt correction is clear; it can cause immediate and severe emotional pain, agitation, and a breakdown of trust. But using comfort strategies, sometimes called therapeutic lying, is not without its own challenges. For the caregiver, it can cause moral discomfort or guilt. It can also create confusion if other family members or visitors are not using the same approach, leading to mixed messages that can be unsettling for the person with dementia.
Current clinical guidance for families encourages a flexible, person-centered approach. There is no single script that works for everyone or for every situation. The best practice is to assess the moment and choose the response that will do the most good and the least harm. This approach moves away from a rigid insistence on reality orientation and toward a focus on emotional connection and validation.
So how do you decide what to do in the moment? You can use a quick mental checklist.
- Is my loved one distressed?
If they are crying, anxious, or agitated, your priority is to comfort them. The truth is unlikely to help and will probably make things worse. Focus on the emotion. - Will the truth help them function or improve their well-being?
In the earlier stages of dementia, a gentle reminder of the truth might be processed and accepted. But in the middle to late stages, the truth serves no practical purpose and only causes pain. Ask yourself, “What is gained by telling them their mother died 40 years ago?” If the answer is nothing, then choose another path. - Is safety at stake?
If the person is trying to get in a car to “go pick up Dad from work,” your response must be geared toward preventing that. This doesn’t necessarily mean a blunt “Dad is dead,” but it does mean you must firmly and creatively redirect their plan to ensure they stay safe.
There are times when you should not have to make these decisions alone. It is time to consult with their healthcare team, a social worker, or a dementia care specialist if you notice a sharp increase in agitation following these questions, if safety becomes a recurring and unmanageable concern, or if the situation involves legal or financial matters tied to the deceased person that you are unsure how to handle. These professionals can help you develop a more robust care plan and provide strategies tailored to your loved one’s specific needs, ensuring you have the support you need to navigate these challenging moments.
Practical Phrases and Conversation Examples
Navigating these conversations requires a toolkit of responses you can adapt to the moment. The goal is not to win an argument but to connect with the emotion behind the question and restore a sense of safety and peace. The right approach depends on your loved one’s stage of dementia, their level of distress, and what has worked before. Here are five validated communication strategies, followed by scripts for common situations.
Five Core Response Strategies
1. Validation
This strategy focuses on the emotion, not the fact. You are acknowledging the feeling of loss or love that is driving the question. It shows you hear them and that their feelings are important.
Sample Phrase: “You are thinking about your mom today. I know how much you love her.”
2. Gentle Truth
Best used in the early stages of dementia when your loved one can still process new information without extreme distress. It should always be delivered with compassion and followed by reassurance.
Sample Phrase: “I know it’s hard to remember sometimes. Dad passed away last spring. It’s okay to miss him. I miss him too.”
3. Therapeutic Redirection
This involves acknowledging the topic and then gently guiding the conversation toward a pleasant, related memory. This is highly effective in the moderate stages, as it honors their reality while shifting the focus away from the painful absence.
Sample Phrase: “You want to see your brother. He told the best jokes. Do you remember the one about the fishing trip?”
4. Reassurance
When a person is feeling lost or scared, their request for a deceased relative is often a plea for security. This response focuses on their immediate safety and your presence. It is especially helpful in the later stages.
Sample Phrase: “I know you’re looking for your husband. You are safe here, and I am right here with you. We’ll stay together.”
5. Distraction
This approach moves the person’s attention to a simple, enjoyable, and immediate task. It is not about ignoring them but about engaging them in a new activity to break the loop of questioning.
Sample Phrase: “Mom isn’t here right now. Look, the birds are at the feeder. Could you help me fill it up?”
Scripts for Common Scenarios
Here is how to apply these strategies in challenging, real-life moments.
Scenario: Repeatedly asking to call a deceased spouse.
When to Use: Moderate stage, when they are feeling lonely or anxious.
Response: “He can’t come to the phone right now. Let’s write him a note about our day and we can try calling later.”
Tone and Nonverbals: Speak in a calm, soothing voice. Make eye contact and offer a gentle touch on their hand or arm. Sit with them, not over them.
Pacing: Say one sentence at a time. Pause to let them process.
Follow-up: Immediately get a pen and paper. The physical act of writing the note provides a concrete distraction. If they remain agitated, suggest listening to their spouse’s favorite music.
Scenario: Insisting on setting a place at the table for a deceased parent.
When to Use: Moderate to late stage, often driven by routine and long-term memory.
Response: “That is so kind of you to think of her. She would love that. She ate a little earlier, so tonight it’s just going to be us. This looks delicious.”
Tone and Nonverbals: Use a warm, appreciative tone. Smile and nod, validating their kind intention. Do not physically remove the plate yourself unless necessary.
Pacing: Keep it simple and move on quickly to the meal.
Follow-up: Engage them in conversation about the food or another pleasant, neutral topic. Avoid leaving an empty silence where the question might resurface.
Scenario: Searching the house for a deceased sibling.
When to Use: Moderate stage, often accompanied by restlessness or sundowning.
Response: (Joining them in their search) “It looks like you’re looking for someone. Your sister isn’t here right now. I was just about to have a snack. Will you join me?”
Tone and Nonverbals: Approach them from the side, not head-on. Walk with them for a moment to show you are on their team. Offer your arm for support.
Pacing: Match their pace initially, then gently slow down as you redirect them toward the kitchen or a comfortable chair.
Follow-up: A food or drink offering is a powerful redirector. If they refuse, suggest a simple, repetitive task like folding laundry together.
Scenario: Demanding to leave the house to visit a deceased person.
When to Use: Any stage, but it represents a significant safety risk. The distress is usually high.
Response: “You really want to see your mom. I understand. It’s too late to go out now, but tell me about her. Was she a good cook?”
Tone and Nonverbals: Use a calm but firm tone. Do not physically block the door, but position yourself between them and the exit. Acknowledge the desire, then state the boundary (“It’s too late”).
Pacing: Speak slowly. The primary goal is de-escalation.
Follow-up: You can start walking with them, but guide the walk away from the exit and toward a comforting space like the living room or kitchen. If redirection to conversation fails, use a strong sensory distraction. Turn on familiar music, get out a photo album, or start a simple activity they enjoy. The key is to shift their focus without escalating the confrontation.
What Not to Say
Certain responses, while seemingly logical, can cause significant harm. Bluntly correcting your loved one can trigger agitation, fear, and a breakdown of trust.
- Avoid: “She’s dead. How many times do I have to tell you?” This forces them to relive the trauma of the loss over and over. This type of response is known to cause a significant spike in agitation.
- Avoid: “Don’t you remember? We went to his funeral.” This highlights their cognitive failure, which can lead to feelings of shame, anger, and depression.
- Avoid: “That’s ridiculous. You know she’s not here.” Arguing or reasoning is futile. The disease has damaged the part of the brain responsible for logic. You will not win the argument; you will only damage the relationship.
Remember, you are responding to the emotional need, not just the words being said. Each interaction is an opportunity to provide comfort, preserve dignity, and strengthen your connection. For more on communication, see the Caregiver Action Network’s guide on new ways to communicate.
Adapting the Home and Routine to Reduce Requests and Distress
While the right words are powerful, the environment your loved one lives in speaks just as loudly. A calm, predictable, and supportive home can significantly reduce the frequency of distressing questions about deceased relatives. Instead of constantly reacting to painful moments, you can proactively shape the day to foster peace and security. This is about creating a space where your loved one feels safe and grounded in the present.
Using Memory Cues to Gently Orient
Memory aids can act as quiet anchors to reality, offering information without the need for a difficult conversation. When used thoughtfully, they reduce confusion and provide comfort.
- Labeled Photographs.
Go through photo albums and framed pictures. Add simple labels with names, the year, and a brief, happy description. For example, a wedding photo could be labeled, “Mom and Dad’s Wedding, 1975. Such a happy day.” This provides context and reinforces memories without forcing a verbal correction. For photos of the deceased, a simple label like “Dad, 1980” is often enough. - Memory Boxes.
A memory box is a collection of safe, comforting items related to your loved one’s past. Unlike a triggering object left out in the open, a memory box is an intentional activity. You can fill it with things like a favorite soft scarf, old postcards, or medals from their youth. When you explore the box together, it becomes a positive way to reminisce, guided by you. - Simple Calendars and Whiteboards.
For those in the earlier stages, a large-print calendar or a whiteboard can be helpful. You can write the day, date, and a simple plan, like “Tuesday. Doctor’s appointment at 10 AM. Lunch with Sarah.” This structure can lessen the anxiety that often fuels repetitive questions. Avoid writing “Mom passed away” on it, as this can be a constant, painful reminder.
Managing the Home Environment to Reduce Triggers
Sometimes, the environment itself can spark a painful memory loop. A systematic room audit can help you identify and modify these triggers while still honoring the memory of the person who has passed.
A Quick Room Audit Checklist
Walk through each room and consider the following:
- Are there many unlabeled photos of the deceased person, especially recent ones?
- Is the deceased person’s favorite chair empty in a prominent spot?
- Are their clothes still hanging in the closet or their toiletries in the bathroom?
- Does mail still arrive addressed to them?
You don’t need to erase every trace of the person. The goal is to reduce constant, passive reminders. You might move their favorite chair to a less central location or pack their clothes into a special keepsake box that you can look through together on a good day. For mail, consider getting a P.O. box or asking a trusted family member to sort through it before bringing it inside. This simple step can prevent a daily reminder of the loss.
Designing a Routine That Fills the Day with Purpose
Loneliness and boredom are major drivers of anxiety and repetitive questions. A person with dementia who has nothing to do is more likely to retreat into the past. A gentle, structured routine provides security and focus.
Examples of Gentle Daily Activities:
- Morning.
Listening to favorite music from their youth, watering plants, or sorting socks. - Afternoon.
Folding towels, looking through a photo album (with labeled photos), doing a simple puzzle, or watching a classic movie. - Evening.
A quiet activity like brushing a pet, receiving a gentle hand massage with lotion, or listening to a calming audiobook.
The key is to engage the senses and provide a sense of accomplishment. These aren’t just distractions; they are moments of connection and purpose that make your loved one feel valued and present.
Handling Mealtime and Nighttime Triggers
Mealtimes and nights are often the hardest. An empty seat at the table can be a stark reminder of who is missing. At night, shadows and silence can heighten confusion and fear, a phenomenon often called sundowning.
- At Mealtimes.
If an empty place setting is a trigger, try changing the seating arrangement. Sitting in a different spot can break the old association. Playing soft, cheerful music during the meal can also shift the focus and create a more pleasant atmosphere. - At Night.
A calm and predictable bedtime routine is crucial. This might include dimming the lights an hour before bed, playing soothing nature sounds, and ensuring the room is comfortable. A nightlight can help reduce disorientation if they wake up. Avoid having clocks that show the date, as this can sometimes cause confusion.
Preparing Visitors and Family for Consistency
Finally, make sure everyone is on the same page. It is incredibly confusing and distressing for a person with dementia to get different answers from different people. Before visitors arrive, have a brief, private conversation. Explain the approach you are using, whether it’s validation, gentle redirection, or another strategy. Provide them with a few simple phrases they can use. A unified front creates a circle of security around your loved one, making them feel safer and understood by everyone they interact with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really okay to lie to my loved one?
Think of it less as lying and more as entering their reality to provide comfort. This approach, often called therapeutic fibbing or validation therapy, prioritizes your loved one’s emotional safety over factual accuracy. For a person with dementia, being told a beloved spouse or parent is dead can feel like hearing the news for the first time, over and over. This repeated trauma causes significant distress. Choosing a comforting response that validates their feelings is an act of compassion that research shows can reduce agitation significantly.
Why this is helpful: It reframes a difficult choice, helping you move from feeling deceptive to feeling compassionate.
Quick phrase: “She’s resting in the other room. Let’s have some tea while we wait.”
Are there times when I should tell the truth?
Yes, but these situations are specific. The truth is often best reserved for the earlier stages of dementia, when the person may still have the ability to process the information, especially if they are not in a state of high emotional distress. If they ask a calm, factual question like, “Where is Dad these days?” a gentle truth might be appropriate. Always assess their mood first. If they are already upset or anxious, the truth will likely make it worse.
Why this is helpful: It provides nuance, showing that there isn’t a single right answer for every situation or every stage of the illness.
Gentle truth phrase: “Dad passed away a few years ago, remember? It’s okay to miss him. I miss him too.”
How do I explain this to my children or grandchildren?
Keep your explanation simple and focus on the importance of kindness. You can tell a child that Grandma’s brain is having trouble with memories, and sometimes it forgets sad things. Explain that the family’s job is to help her feel safe and happy. For example, “Grandma’s memory is sick, and she doesn’t remember that Grandpa is gone. When she asks for him, we talk about happy memories so we don’t make her sad all over again.”
Why this is helpful: It teaches children empathy and helps them understand why the family responds in a way that might seem untrue, preventing them from accidentally causing distress by correcting their grandparent.
My sister tells Mom the truth, but I use comforting phrases. What should we do?
Inconsistent answers are extremely confusing and distressing for someone with dementia. It is crucial for all family members, friends, and other caregivers to agree on a consistent approach. Hold a brief family meeting to discuss the strategies in this article. Choose one or two go-to responses that everyone feels comfortable using.
Why this is helpful: A united front creates a stable and predictable environment, which significantly reduces anxiety and confusion for the person with dementia.
Quick tip: Write the agreed-upon phrases on a small card and keep it in a central location like on the refrigerator for everyone to see.
When should a sudden increase in these questions worry me?
You should call their doctor if you notice a sudden and sharp increase in confusion, agitation, or distress that is out of character. A dramatic behavioral shift can be a sign of an underlying and treatable medical issue, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), pain, dehydration, or a medication side effect. Don’t assume it’s just the dementia progressing.
Why this is helpful: It helps you distinguish between the normal progression of dementia and a potential medical condition that requires immediate attention.
Referral suggestion: Always seek a medical review for any abrupt changes in behavior or cognition.
I feel so guilty when I don’t tell the truth. How do I cope with that?
This feeling of guilt is incredibly common and understandable. Try to reframe your actions. You are choosing compassion over correction. Your goal is to protect your loved one from repeated emotional pain, which is a profound act of love. Sharing your feelings with others who understand can be immensely helpful.
Why this is helpful: It normalizes a difficult emotion and provides actionable steps for managing caregiver stress.
Referral suggestion: Consider joining a local or online caregiver support group. The Alzheimer’s Association and Caregiver Action Network offer resources across the USA. Many caregivers also find that journaling about their feelings helps reduce this moral stress.
Conclusions and Practical Next Steps
Navigating the conversation about a deceased relative is less about finding a single “correct” answer and more about choosing the most compassionate response for that specific moment. The central takeaway is this; your goal is to connect with the emotion behind the question, not just the words themselves. Whether your loved one is feeling lonely, confused, or simply reaching for a comforting memory, your response should aim to meet that emotional need. This shifts the focus from a debate over facts to an act of reassurance. The truth versus comfort dilemma is not a test you can pass or fail. It is a continuous process of assessment and adjustment, prioritizing your loved one’s emotional well-being and dignity above all else.
Remembering the key decision points will help you navigate these moments with more confidence. Before you speak, run through this mental checklist. First, assess their level of distress and cognitive ability. Are they asking calmly, or are they agitated and upset? This is your most important cue. Second, always prioritize their safety and dignity. A response that causes fear or shame is never the right one. Third, lean on validation and redirection as your primary tools. Acknowledging their feelings (“You really miss your mom”) is almost always a safe and effective starting point. Finally, reserve the blunt truth for those in the earlier stages of dementia who can still process new information without it causing prolonged emotional harm.
Here is a practical, step-by-step action plan you can implement immediately the next time this situation arises.
- Quickly Assess the Situation.
Take a deep breath and observe for 30 seconds. Look at their body language. Are there tears, pacing, or clenched fists? This points to distress. Or are they asking in a matter-of-fact tone? This suggests a simple memory lapse. Is there an immediate safety risk, like them trying to walk out the door? Your assessment determines your next move. - Choose a Response Style.
Based on your assessment, pick your approach. If they are distressed, choose validation and redirection. If they are calm and in an early stage, gentle truth might be appropriate. If they are living in a past reality where the person is still alive, a therapeutic fib that joins them in their reality may be the kindest option. - Use One of the Sample Scripts.
You don’t have to invent the right words on the spot. Rely on the phrases we’ve discussed. Try something like, “Tell me about your favorite memory of him,” to redirect. Or, “She’s not here right now, but you are safe with me,” to reassure. Having a few go-to phrases ready reduces your own stress. - Adjust the Environment.
After the immediate moment has passed, think about prevention. Was the question triggered by a photograph? You might consider moving it or placing it in a memory box that you can look through together at planned times. Is the questioning happening at a specific time of day? Perhaps introducing a calming activity, like listening to their favorite music or folding laundry together, can help fill that time. - Document and Share with the Care Team.
Keep a simple notebook to log what happened, what you tried, and how it worked. This helps you spot patterns. For example, you might notice the questions increase when they are tired or hungry. Sharing this log with other family members or professional caregivers ensures everyone is on the same page, providing a consistent and stable environment for your loved one. - Consult a Clinician if Needed.
If these questions are a new behavior or are accompanied by a sudden increase in agitation, anxiety, or aggression, it is time to call their doctor. An underlying medical issue, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), pain, or a medication side effect, could be the cause.
Finally, this work is emotionally demanding. The weight of these conversations is heavy, and it is normal to feel guilt, frustration, or sadness. Your own well-being is not a luxury; it is a necessary part of being a sustainable caregiver. Find small ways to care for yourself each day, even if it’s just five minutes of quiet time with a cup of tea. It is vital to seek support before you feel completely overwhelmed. Connect with local resources that can help. The Alzheimer’s Association, your local Area Agency on Aging, and caregiver support groups are excellent places to start. You can find valuable information and connection through organizations like the Caregiver Action Network.
Remember to be patient with yourself and your loved one. You will have good days and difficult days. Some strategies will work beautifully one week and fail the next. The nature of dementia is change. The most important thing you can do is to keep trying, adapt your approach as the disease progresses, and always lead with love and compassion.
References
- Communication Strategies When Memory Fades – B Home Care — Stay flexible. When something stops working, try a different approach. Ask others who care for your loved one what works for them. Professional …
- Communication During Chronic Illness and End-of-Life — As a caregiver, you can face major communication responsibilities when a family member or friend is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.
- Communication Tips for Caregivers – American Heart Association — Talk openly about your fears, worries and needs. This will invite frank and meaningful dialogue. Other family members may feel comfortable …
- Life As A Caregiver – New Ways to Communicate — Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible. This helps the person with Alzheimer's feel better about himself or herself.
- Communication Tips for Family Caregivers — Identify your intention. What is it that you want to say and why? · Focus on responding rather than reacting. · Be clear, concise, and direct. · Engage in active …
- Family Communication at the End of Life – PMC – NIH — Research exploring communication at the end of life is especially relevant because every person experiences the death and loss of loved ones.
- Navigating the end of the road as a family caregiver – AccentCare — Experts suggest several strategies to help caregivers cope with grief and navigate the mourning process, including in-person or online support …
- Effective Caregiver Communication: Tips, Barriers, and Benefits — Learn better ways to communicate with family members and other caregivers, compassionately and transparently.
Legal Disclaimers & Brand Notices
Medical Disclaimer: The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider, such as a physician, social worker, or dementia care specialist, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, behavioral changes, or the care of a loved one. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article. If you suspect an underlying medical issue (such as a UTI, pain, or medication side effect), contact a healthcare professional immediately.
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