Why is Uncle Bob convinced the floor is made of jelly? It’s not because he’s gone bonkers or trying to pull your leg. Dementia can play some pretty wild tricks on a person’s mind.
When someone has dementia, their brain starts to misfire in weird ways. It’s like the wires get all crossed up. This can make them see, hear, or feel things that aren’t really there. Doctors call these hallucinations.
So in Uncle Bob’s case, his brain is telling him the floor feels wobbly and squishy under his feet. To him, it really does seem like he’s walking on jelly! It probably feels pretty scary and confusing for him.
The jelly floor thing is actually pretty common with dementia patients. They might also think the ground is moving, sinking, or covered in bugs. It’s not because they’re going crazy – their brain is just sending them faulty information.
What can you do to help? First, don’t argue with Uncle Bob about the floor. That’ll just upset him more. Instead, try to calmly reassure him that he’s safe. Maybe hold his hand and walk with him to show the floor is solid. Distracting him with an activity he enjoys could help too.
If the jelly floor fears are making Uncle Bob really anxious or keeping him from moving around, definitely let his doctor know. They might be able to adjust his meds or suggest other ways to help him feel more secure.
Remember, even though the jelly floor isn’t real, Uncle Bob’s fear absolutely is. Approaching him with patience and understanding will go a long way. Dementia’s a tricky beast, but with some creative problem-solving, you can help make Uncle Bob’s world feel a bit less wobbly.
