Grandpa’s Daily Tax Obsession: Understanding Dementia Behaviors
If your grandfather with dementia insists on doing his taxes every day, you’re not alone. This kind of repetitive behavior is common in people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Let’s break down why this might be happening and how to handle it.
Memory Troubles
Dementia messes with the brain’s ability to make and store new memories. Your grandpa might not remember that he already did his taxes, so he feels the need to do them again. It’s like his brain is stuck on repeat, playing the same old tune over and over.
Seeking Control
As dementia progresses, people often feel like they’re losing control of their lives. Doing taxes might make your grandpa feel useful and in charge, even if it’s not actually necessary. It’s his way of holding onto a sense of purpose and responsibility.
Familiar Routines
People with dementia often find comfort in familiar tasks. If your grandpa was always on top of his finances, doing taxes might be a soothing routine that helps him feel normal and secure.
Time Confusion
Dementia can mess up a person’s sense of time. Your grandpa might think it’s always tax season, or that a year has passed each day. His internal calendar is all jumbled up.
Anxiety and Worry
Dementia can cause anxiety, and your grandpa might be fixating on taxes as a way to cope with general worry about money or responsibilities. It’s like his brain has latched onto this one task as a way to manage his stress.
What Can You Do?
Don’t argue with him about it. That’ll just upset everyone. Instead, try to redirect his attention to other activities he enjoys. You could also set up a “tax station” with old forms and calculators to let him work on it safely without causing any real financial issues.
Remember, this behavior isn’t harmful, just frustrating. It’s part of the disease, not your grandpa being difficult on purpose. Patience and understanding go a long way in dealing with dementia behaviors.
If the tax obsession is causing major stress, talk to his doctor. They might have some tips or treatments to help manage his symptoms and make life easier for everyone involved.
Dealing with dementia isn’t easy, but knowing why these behaviors happen can help you handle them with more compassion and less frustration[1][3][7].
