Imagine looking in a mirror and not recognizing yourself. That’s what’s happening to your aunt with dementia. Her brain is having trouble processing what she sees.
When we look in a mirror, our brains quickly put together that the image is us. But dementia damages the parts of the brain that handle this. So your aunt’s brain can’t make that connection anymore.
Instead, her mind tries to make sense of what she’s seeing in a different way. It decides the reflection must be another person entirely. This is called mirror misidentification or mirror sign.
It’s actually pretty common in people with dementia, especially as the disease gets worse. Your aunt isn’t crazy or making things up – her brain is just confused.
This can be really upsetting for your aunt. She might get scared of her reflection or try to talk to it. Some people even think the “other person” is following them around.
There are a few things you can do to help. Cover up mirrors when they’re not needed. Gently remind her it’s just a reflection. Or distract her with something else when she gets upset about it.
Remember, your aunt isn’t doing this on purpose. Her brain is playing tricks on her. Being patient and understanding can make a big difference. And don’t hesitate to talk to her doctor about it. They might have more ideas to help manage this symptom.
Dementia affects how people see the world in all sorts of ways. This mirror thing is just one example. The most important thing is to keep your aunt feeling safe and loved, even when her perception of reality is different from yours.
