Your father with dementia is trying to mail an empty envelope to himself because his brain is experiencing changes that affect his memory, thinking, and behavior. This seemingly odd action is actually quite common among people with dementia.
When someone has dementia, they often struggle with everyday tasks that used to be simple for them. Mailing a letter is something your father probably did many times in his life, so his brain might be trying to recreate that familiar activity. However, because of the cognitive decline caused by dementia, he may not remember or understand all the steps involved in actually sending mail.
The empty envelope could represent your father’s attempt to maintain a sense of normalcy and independence. He might feel like he’s accomplishing something important by “sending mail,” even if the envelope is empty and addressed to himself. This action could be comforting to him, as it connects him to memories of his past routines.
It’s also possible that your father is confused about the purpose of mailing letters. He might not realize the envelope is empty or understand why that matters. In his mind, the act of putting an envelope in the mailbox is what’s important, not necessarily what’s inside it.
This behavior, while unusual to others, is harmless and can actually be beneficial for your father. It gives him a sense of purpose and allows him to engage in an activity that feels familiar and productive. As long as it’s not causing any problems or putting him at risk, it’s often best to allow people with dementia to continue these types of harmless activities.
If you’re concerned about this behavior, you could try redirecting your father to other meaningful activities that mimic the act of sending mail. For example, you could set up a special “mailbox” in your home where he can “send” letters whenever he wants to. This way, he can engage in the activity that’s important to him without the potential complications of actually mailing empty envelopes.
Remember, patience and understanding are key when caring for someone with dementia. What might seem strange or pointless to us can be very important and meaningful to them.
