Seeking reassurance

[Almostthere12]

My sister has dementia, she thinks she isn’t in her own home, she keeps asking when she can go home. Despite trying to reassure her that she is safe and loved, I don’t know how I can help her........any thoughts ?

[Philip]

Maybe you can help her by being there for her and i know it isn’t fare or just for carers, we don’t mean to be like we are, love and assurances and safe.

[sassy59]

It’s so difficult for you to see your sister like that. You can only reassure her and try and change the subject. In time she may focus on something else.

You are being kind and caring to your sister and l do feel for you.

My mother in law is in a home now and thinks she’s 100, she’s 85. Xxxxx

[Hidden]

You will never win this. It is better to let her think she is just visiting and is staying for lunch, supper or whatever and then say something like the bus has gone, we'll just stay till morning. Eventually she will get used to where she is, it just takes time to settle into her mind.

[Almostthere12]

Thank you for your kind words, it is really hard, I’ll try changing the subject, and the missing the bus is a good idea

[Paparoachgirl]

Hi my mum keeps asking when she can go home and says she has no bus fare to get there. Apparently I looked on a site for people with Altzheimers and it said you should say something like it's a bit cold to go out at the moment or too cold or wet we can go later. I've tried this and it does work. Saying you are home just confused them further. It said you can take them for a short car ride and this may help because they might think they are home when it's ended.

[Judytwo]

This is a common symptom. My husband, who died recently, always wanted to go home when he was in the early stages of dementia. I used to go along with it, and say, " we can't go today, but we will be able to go tomorrow", you might have to say that frequently but if it comforts your sister, it is doing the trick.

[2bhopeful]

Talk to her about her own home, go along with her story and see where it leads you. Or maybe talk about old times when you were children together at home, that could be what she is referring to.