08/21/2026
You Do Not Have to Fix Every Moment.
One of the hardest things new caregivers learn is that dementia cannot be argued away.
When your mom insists it is 1987, or your dad asks for someone who passed away years ago, the impulse is to correct the record. But correction often leads to confusion, frustration, and sometimes real distress, for both of you.
Dementia care often means shifting from 'fixing' to 'responding.' That means focusing on how your loved one feels rather than whether every detail is accurate. Safety. Comfort. Connection. Those are the things that matter most.
It can take a while to get there.
Most caregivers have to learn this the hard way, in the middle of an argument that did not need to happen.
PRACTICAL TIP
When your loved one repeats a question, try answering gently, then redirecting to something familiar, a favorite photo, a simple snack, a piece of music they love, or a comforting routine. You do not need to have a perfect answer. You just need to offer something calm.
Follow for practical tips!
