Why is my uncle with dementia writing letters to people who have long since passed?

Why is my uncle with dementia writing letters to people who have long since passed?

Dementia can cause confusion about time and reality. Your uncle may be reliving memories from the past and feeling a strong connection to people who were once important in his life. Writing letters to deceased loved ones is actually a common behavior for people with dementia.

As the disease progresses, recent memories tend to fade first while older memories remain intact longer. Your uncle may be mentally living in an earlier time period when these people were still alive. In his mind, writing letters to them feels natural and comforting.

This letter writing can serve as a coping mechanism and way for your uncle to process his emotions. It allows him to maintain a sense of connection to people he cared about. The act of writing may also provide mental stimulation and a meaningful activity to fill his time.

While it may seem odd to you, it’s best not to correct your uncle or tell him the recipients have passed away. This could cause him distress or agitation. Instead, you can gently redirect him to other activities if the letter writing becomes excessive.

Some caregivers even encourage this behavior in a therapeutic way. They may provide a special box or album for the letters. This gives the person with dementia a dedicated space to express their thoughts and feelings.

Overall, writing to deceased loved ones is harmless and can be comforting for someone with dementia. As long as it’s not causing your uncle distress, it’s okay to let him continue this activity. The letters provide a window into his emotional state and the memories that are important to him[6][13].