3 Things in Dementia That Look Like Lying (But Aren't)

When someone with dementia insists they're still safe to drive, describes a visit that never happened, or swears someone is stealing from them, it can look a lot like lying. Or like they're refusing to see what's right in front of them. But a lie means knowing the truth and choosing to say something different, and that's not what's happening here. In this episode, I'm walking through three common dementia symptoms that can look like lying from the outside: anosognosia, confabulation, and delusions. I'll explain what's going on in the brain with each one, how to tell them apart, and the one response that tends to make all three harder. If you'd like to see this episode on video, you can hop on over to my YouTube channel here. If you're left thinking, "Okay, but what do I actually do when this is happening?", my book, The Dementia Care Toolkit, is filled with strategies you can try in situations just like this. It's available for preorder here: ➡️ https://careblazers.com/toolkit  → Learn about the Care Collective: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-cc    ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:21 - Anosognosia: when they don't know anything is wrong 3:12 - Confabulation: when the brain fills in a memory gap 4:59 - Delusions: false beliefs that keep coming back 6:01 - What to ask yourself instead of "why are they lying?"   --- Hi, I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in dementia care. Whether your loved one has Alzheimer's, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular, or mixed dementia, we believe that to create a dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for medical guidance.