Why is my aunt with dementia convinced the vacuum cleaner is trying to chase her?

Dementia can cause people to experience strange fears and beliefs, like your aunt thinking the vacuum cleaner is chasing her. This happens because dementia damages the brain, making it hard for people to understand what’s really going on around them[1].

As dementia gets worse, some people start to see or hear things that aren’t there. These are called hallucinations[1]. Your aunt might actually be seeing the vacuum cleaner move in her mind, even when it’s not really moving.

Dementia can also make familiar objects seem scary or confusing. The loud noise and movement of a vacuum cleaner might seem threatening to someone whose brain isn’t working properly[1]. Your aunt’s brain might be misinterpreting the vacuum as something dangerous that’s trying to get her.

Sometimes, people with dementia can develop false beliefs called delusions[1]. Your aunt might have developed a fixed idea that the vacuum cleaner is out to get her, even though this doesn’t make sense to others.

It’s important to remember that these fears feel very real to your aunt, even if they seem silly to you. Try not to argue with her about the vacuum cleaner. Instead, you can try to comfort her and make her feel safe. Maybe put the vacuum away when she’s around, or use it when she’s not in the room[1].

If your aunt’s fears are making her very upset or interfering with her daily life, it’s a good idea to talk to her doctor. There might be ways to help manage these symptoms and make her feel more comfortable[1].

Remember, your aunt isn’t being difficult on purpose. Her brain is playing tricks on her because of the dementia. With patience and understanding, you can help her feel safer and less afraid of things like the vacuum cleaner.