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Right way to Correct wrong behavior

jeannevic
jeannevic Member Posts: 6
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My mom has mid to late dementia. Sometimes she tries to use a knife to eat instead of a fork or she attempts to eat non- food items (pens, water caps etc). When I go to correct her she gets very agitated. All the research I’ve done says not to correct them or tell them they made a mistake — be patient blah blah blah. NO WHERE can I find the right words to use with her to prevent her from lashing out. I’m looking for help. I know what NOT to say but I don’t know WHAT to say.


help :(

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  • [Deleted User]
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  • jeannevic
    jeannevic Member Posts: 6
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    Thank you. I know you are 100% right. I was grasping at straws trying to find a “miracle phrase”

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  • towhee
    towhee Member Posts: 472
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    And if they manage to get their hands on something they should not after all your hard work dementia proofing, try substitution, like you would with a toddler, if they have something you do not want them to have, draw their attention, big smile, give them something else instead, something that you make seem better.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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