How to handle confusions

bevsue42

I'm new to this site. I could really use some advice. My father has dementia and living in nursing home. He is convinced that he was/is in WWII. He never served in the military. He keeps asking when his uniforms are going to come showing his new rank.

I don't know what to say to him. I keep telling him they are out of his size.

He has tired to leave the home a couple of times to get his uniforms or go to the field for training.

I could really use some advice on how to handle this situation.

harshedbuzz

Hi and welcome.

I am sorry for your reason to be here, but glad you found this place.

This kind of false memory isn't unusual in dementia. It's great that you already know not to contradict him; that's huge and will go a long way to keeping him calmer than he would be otherwise. I wonder if you could use WWII as a means to explain his need to stay where he is for now. Could you say he's on well-earned R&R for now until his new orders come through or even that he's building up his strength for a time?

HB

bevsue42

HB

Thank you for the advice. I will try that and hopefully it helps.

Bevsue42