Caring for a person with dementia requires patience and flexibility.\nDementia affects memory, judgement and perception of reality.\nAs the disease progresses, it becomes harder for the person to understand the truth, leading to confusion and emotional distress.\nIn such situations, caregivers often face the difficult decision of whether to tell the truth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dementia care experts suggest that telling the whole truth is not always the best approach.\nThe main goal in caring for a person with dementia is to reduce anxiety and keep the person calm.\nThis is where ‘therapeutic lying’ comes in – a compassionate way of modifying the truth so that the person with dementia is reassured, rather than causing further distress. <\/p>\n\n
Dementia care experts support therapeutic lying to help caregivers accommodate patients when possible.\nThe Alzheimer’s Association advises caregivers to focus on emotional comfort rather than strict honesty.\nDr Sarah Russell, an expert in caring for people with dementia, says always telling the truth “can sometimes increase stress and anxiety<\/em>“.\nThis technique is about empathy, not lying. <\/p>\n\n For example, when someone with dementia asks about a deceased loved one or insists on going to work, telling the truth can lead to confusion or pain.\nGentle redirection, such as saying “They’re just gone<\/em>” or “Let’s do something together<\/em>,” helps keep the person calm. <\/p>\n\nWhen to use therapeutic lying<\/h2>\n\n