Why does my aunt with dementia think her shadow is chasing her?
Dementia can cause strange and scary experiences for those affected. Your aunt’s belief that her shadow is chasing her likely stems from several factors related to her condition.
As dementia progresses, it damages areas of the brain involved in perception, reasoning, and memory. This can lead to misinterpretations of normal sensory input. Your aunt may notice her shadow moving as she moves, but be unable to recognize it as her own. Instead, her brain may perceive it as a separate entity following her[1].
Visual-spatial problems are common in dementia. Your aunt may have difficulty judging distances or distinguishing objects from their background. This could make her shadow seem detached from herself[2].
Dementia often causes paranoia and fearfulness. Even if part of your aunt recognizes her shadow, she may feel threatened by it due to her altered mental state[3].
Memory issues could prevent your aunt from remembering explanations about her shadow. Each time she notices it may feel like a new, frightening experience.
Some types of dementia, like Lewy body dementia, are associated with visual hallucinations. While unlikely, it’s possible your aunt is experiencing a hallucination related to her shadow[4].
The best approach is to calmly reassure your aunt when she expresses fear about her shadow. Avoid arguing or trying to reason with her, as this rarely helps someone with dementia. Instead, validate her feelings and gently redirect her attention to something else. Ensuring she has adequate lighting may also reduce shadow-related anxiety.
While distressing, this experience is not uncommon for dementia patients. With patience and understanding, you can help your aunt feel more at ease despite her confusion about shadows.
