Dealing with anger and false beliefs

Dealing with anger and false beliefs

A person with dementia can develop false beliefs and think that someone is ‘out to get’ them. Christina Neal explains how to cope if a distressing situation like this arises.  I remember the day well. It was the weekend before Christmas. My mum’s nursing home...
Six ways to manage challenging behaviour

Six ways to manage challenging behaviour

Don’t let mood swings or what might seem like unusual or inappropriate behaviour leave you feeling exasperated – here’s some useful tips on coping with challenging behaviour.  Dementia can affect a person’s moods, thinking and behaviour, making them more prone to...
Coping with confusion and hallucinations

Coping with confusion and hallucinations

It was the strangest situation. My mum rang me one evening and told me that there were people in her living room refusing to leave. She said they were standing around talking and ignoring her. I asked her to put one of them on the phone to me, and I heard her saying:...
A flexible approach is best

A flexible approach is best

Before I began caring for my mum, I used to plan everything in my life. I was a total control freak. Everything had to be scheduled and my goals all had deadlines. It may sound boring it certainly didn’t do my career any harm. I enjoyed having control over my daily...
What to do when your loved one refuses to see the GP

What to do when your loved one refuses to see the GP

It’s a common situation to be in. Your loved one may be starting to show signs of dementia but they refuse to see their GP. If you are worried about their memory and their cognitive function in general, you may have tried to talk to them and express your...