Your aunt with dementia is lining up chairs and calling it a train because her brain is experiencing changes that affect how she perceives and interacts with her environment. This behavior, while unusual to us, makes sense to her.
Dementia alters the way a person’s mind works. It can cause confusion about time, place, and the purpose of objects. Your aunt may be recreating a familiar scene from her past or expressing a desire to travel.
Lining up chairs gives her a sense of order and purpose. The act of arranging objects can be soothing and provide a feeling of control. By calling it a train, she’s assigning meaning to her creation, which may bring her comfort or joy.
This behavior is a form of communication. Your aunt might be trying to express something she can’t put into words anymore. Perhaps she’s bored and wants an activity, or she’s remembering a pleasant train journey from her past.
It’s important to respond to this behavior with patience and understanding. Don’t try to correct her or insist the chairs aren’t a train. Instead, you could engage with her imagination. Ask about where the train is going or offer to be a fellow passenger.
This chair-lining activity isn’t harmful, so there’s no need to stop it unless it’s causing safety issues. It’s actually providing her with mental stimulation and physical activity, which can be beneficial.
Remember, people with dementia often live in a different reality from ours. By accepting and gently participating in your aunt’s world, you can help her feel secure and valued.
