Why is my aunt with dementia mistaking my child for her own?
Dementia can cause confusion and memory problems that make it hard for people to recognize their loved ones. When your aunt mistakes your child for her own, it’s likely because of how dementia affects her brain.
As dementia progresses, it damages areas of the brain involved in memory and recognition. Your aunt may still have strong memories of her own children from years ago, but struggle to recognize people in the present. So when she sees a child, her mind may connect that to memories of her own kids when they were young.
The brain also has trouble processing new information with dementia. Your aunt’s brain may not be able to properly understand who your child is or remember meeting them before. Instead, it tries to make sense of what she’s seeing by linking it to familiar memories from the past.
Facial recognition can become impaired too. Your aunt may notice similarities between your child and her own children, leading to the mistaken identity. The brain fills in gaps with what seems most logical based on old memories.
This mix-up doesn’t mean your aunt has forgotten her own children. Her long-term memories of them are likely still intact. But dementia makes it hard to place people correctly in the present moment.
While it can be upsetting, try not to correct your aunt harshly. Gently remind her who your child is, but don’t argue if she insists otherwise. The confusion is part of the disease, not something she can control. Showing patience and playing along can help keep interactions positive.
You can also try showing your aunt old photos of her own children to help trigger those memories. Familiar objects, songs, or stories from the past may help orient her. But be prepared that the confusion may persist as dementia progresses.
Remember that this behavior comes from the effects of dementia on the brain, not a lack of love for you or your child. With understanding and compassion, you can still have meaningful interactions despite the confusion.
