When your mother with dementia tries to cook imaginary food, it’s a common behavior called “phantom cooking.” This happens because dementia affects the brain in ways that can blur the lines between reality and imagination.
Your mom might be reliving memories of cooking for her family, which were happy times for her. The disease makes it hard for her to understand that these memories aren’t happening right now. So, she goes through the motions of cooking, even though there’s no real food involved.
This behavior can also be a way for her to feel useful and maintain a sense of purpose. Cooking might have been a big part of her identity, and she’s trying to hold onto that role.
Sometimes, people with dementia experience changes in their sense of smell and taste. This might make your mom think she smells food cooking when there’s nothing there.
It’s important to remember that this behavior isn’t harmful, as long as your mom isn’t using real appliances or trying to eat imaginary food. In fact, it can be a comforting activity for her.
You can support your mom by joining in her imaginary cooking. Ask her what she’s making or offer to help. This can be a nice way to connect with her and make her feel valued.
If you’re worried about safety, you might need to remove or secure real cooking equipment. You could also set up a safe area where she can “cook” with plastic utensils and play food.
Remember, your mom isn’t doing this on purpose to confuse or frustrate you. It’s just part of how dementia affects her brain. Treating her with patience and understanding can help make these moments easier for both of you.
