I ran across this website today - Mental Help Net (mentalhelp.net). Much of the content is written by two psychologists. There is a section called "Dementia Coping Skills & Behavior Management."

I don't see 'delusions' on the list. Wonder why?

I think delusions are addressed via "suspicion."

I was looking for Delusions too. It seems to me that it is a separate thing from Suspicions. Mom was "convinced" 3 days this week that she'd fainted and had a heart attack. She told me, my husband, hospice nurse, social worker & our caregiver about it. Also, after my daughter visited Friday night with her newborn son, my mom said there were 6 women in her room till midnight and that they had "chosen" her to take care of an abandoned baby. So all day yesterday and today she said she didn't have the energy to take care of babies anymore!

And we have about 'twenty' people living in our house.

I know just what you mean Leone. My dad would fluctuate between being logical and being totally illogical in the same discussion. It made me feel like I was going crazy and I couldn't tell how to react when he'd go from one to the other so fast sometimes. That's when I stopped bringing up any topics like taking care of the house, financial matters, etc. Once I stopped bringing up those subjects, and just doing what I thought was the best, it decreased my anxiety level. When he'd ask me a question about some serious topic I'd give him as little info. as needed to respond and satisfy him, so we didn't get into these schizophrenic conversations where I'd want to just tear my hair out! Lynn

I do know what you mean, Leone. Even though Derek does not have any moments of sanity these days, I find myself occasionally saying something to him as I would to a 'sane' person and, of course, he totally misconstrues it and it leads to more confusion.

Leone, you are right. Redirection may work in AD but in LBD it seems to get them riled up. Yesterday evening was just awful with Derek. He wanted answers!!! Unfortunately, I couldn't understand the questions!!! And when I'd take a stab at a guess, he'd get really agitated. These questions have to do with beds, houses, etc. A straight answer like, "This is our house. This is where we live. That is your bed. That is where you sleep," does not satisfy him, just as explaining that I am his wife doesn't, because he never believes me. I can't win. Ever. The light at the end of the proverbial tunnel comes around 8:30 or 9:00 when he seems to calm down just before bedtime.

Derek's memory is very sporadic, both short and long term. The strange thing is that, even though portions of his 'hard drive' get erased, they can be recovered later. I've often wondered why that is true. If nerve cells are being destroyed you'd expect a loss of memory to be final.

Robin, you are such a rich source of help for us all!! Thank you!
PatS

I faithfully read all of the posts several times a day. Leone, our experience seems to mirror yours in lots of ways. Yesterday, we had to have meeting of the Board of Directors and even had to sit around the table. Unfortunately, the rest of the directors, those other versions of me, didn't show up. (Board of Directors of what?)

There are so many posts now and specific items are scattered among all topics, that when I do a search for a particular topic, there are now so many posts, and the topics are pretty scattered.

Gail