Why is my aunt with dementia whispering to the curtains?

Aunt Mabel’s been acting strange lately. She’s been whispering to the curtains in her living room, and it’s got the whole family worried. But there’s actually a pretty simple explanation for this behavior.

When someone has dementia, their brain starts to change. These changes can make them see or hear things that aren’t really there. Doctors call these hallucinations. It’s pretty common for people with dementia to have them[1][3].

So when Aunt Mabel is talking to the curtains, she might be seeing or hearing something we can’t. Maybe she thinks there’s a person standing there, or she hears voices coming from that direction. To her, it’s all very real[1].

Sometimes, these hallucinations can be caused by changes in the person’s environment. If Aunt Mabel recently moved to a new place, or if her home looks different than it used to, that might be confusing her[7]. The curtains might be casting weird shadows, making her think someone’s there.

It’s also possible that Aunt Mabel is having trouble telling if it’s day or night. Dementia can mess with a person’s internal clock[7]. So she might be whispering because she thinks it’s nighttime and doesn’t want to wake anyone up.

Now, you might be wondering if this is dangerous. Usually, it’s not. Most of the time, these hallucinations aren’t scary or upsetting to the person experiencing them[1]. But if Aunt Mabel seems distressed, it’s a good idea to talk to her doctor about it.

There are things we can do to help. Keeping Aunt Mabel’s surroundings familiar and comfortable can make a big difference[7]. Making sure she gets enough sleep and exercise during the day might help too. And sometimes, just gently reminding her what’s real can be enough to bring her back to the present moment.

Remember, Aunt Mabel isn’t doing this on purpose. Her brain is playing tricks on her. The best thing we can do is be patient, understanding, and keep her safe and comfortable. With the right care and support, we can help make her days a little easier, even if she does chat with the curtains now and then.