Why is my father with dementia afraid of the telephone, convinced it’s bad news?

Dementia can change how a person perceives everyday objects and situations, including the telephone. For someone with dementia, the phone might become a source of anxiety or fear, especially if they associate it with bad news.

Your father’s fear of the telephone could stem from several factors related to his condition. As dementia progresses, it often affects memory, reasoning, and the ability to process information[1]. This can make phone conversations challenging and confusing. Without visual cues to help understand context, your father might struggle to follow conversations, leading to frustration and anxiety[1].

Additionally, dementia can alter a person’s emotional responses. Your father might have developed a negative association with the phone, perhaps from a past experience of receiving bad news. This association could persist even if he doesn’t consciously remember the specific event that triggered it.

The unpredictability of phone calls might also contribute to his fear. For someone with dementia, unexpected sounds or interactions can be startling and overwhelming. The ringing of a phone might trigger anxiety about having to engage in a conversation he feels unprepared for[3].

It’s important to approach this situation with patience and empathy. Try to create a calm environment when using the phone around your father. You might consider using speakerphone so he can see who’s talking, which could help reduce his anxiety[1].

Remember that your father’s fear is real to him, even if it doesn’t seem rational to others. Validating his feelings and providing reassurance can help make phone interactions less stressful. You might also explore alternative communication methods that he finds more comfortable, such as video calls where he can see familiar faces[1].

Ultimately, understanding and adapting to your father’s needs can help maintain meaningful connections despite the challenges posed by dementia.