Why is my uncle with dementia refusing to use his pillow?
Dementia can cause people to behave in ways that seem strange or confusing to others. If your uncle is refusing to use his pillow, there could be a few reasons for this.
First, dementia affects memory and thinking. Your uncle might simply forget that the pillow is there or how to use it properly. He may not recognize it as something meant for comfort and support while sleeping.
Sometimes, dementia causes sensory changes. The pillow might feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar to your uncle now. The texture or temperature could bother him in ways it didn’t before.
Confusion is another common symptom of dementia. Your uncle might think the pillow is something else entirely or be unsure of its purpose. He could even feel suspicious of it if he doesn’t understand why it’s there.
As dementia progresses, people often have trouble communicating their needs or discomforts. Your uncle might be trying to tell you something is wrong with the pillow, but can’t express it clearly.
It’s also possible that your uncle is experiencing some physical discomfort that makes using a pillow difficult. He might have neck pain or breathing issues that he can’t articulate.
Lastly, people with dementia sometimes develop strong preferences or aversions that seem illogical to others. Your uncle might have decided he simply doesn’t like pillows anymore, even if he can’t explain why.
To help, you could try offering different types of pillows or cushions to see if he prefers something else. Observe if he’s more comfortable in certain positions without a pillow. Most importantly, don’t force the issue if he’s adamant about not using one. As long as he’s safe and not in distress, it’s okay to let him sleep without a pillow if that’s what he prefers.
Remember, the goal is to keep your uncle comfortable and reduce any anxiety or confusion he might be feeling. Sometimes, that means adapting to new behaviors rather than trying to change them.
