How to answer when they think you have disappeared

Some people on this board have reported success with leaving the room for a minute and then returning, "Hi Mom, I'm back!" Maybe bringing something they "just bought" but more as a distraction than in the belief that their loved on will remember they were at the store.

Some people have changed their appearance slightly (different shirt, glasses on/off) but I don't get the sense that's always needed. Try a few things and see what works.

It’s very hard when this happens - asking another trusted person to come over and be reassuring during the confusion might help disrupt it. Or, along the lines of what sandwichone suggests, you can try leaving the room, then calling her on the phone to explain that you’re fine and “going to come back now,” and then reenter the room. Sometimes we just had to wait it out, which could be an hour or a day. Meds might help too - have you talked to her doctor about this?

I know, it’s so weird and disconcerting for everyone. When she was in one of these states, my mom would refer to my dad and “that other guy” (who was also my dad). Once she even insisted on setting three places at the dinner table, so she could eat with my dad and that other guy. He went with it but it definitely made him feel like he was losing his mind too! I’m sorry you’re having to go through this.

I am remembering now that a good night’s sleep seemed to reduce the severity of these delusions. So if your mom doesn’t sleep well, you could ask her doctor about that.