Mirrors and reflections can terrify those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia
Did you know that mirrors can be very disturbing for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia?
For some people, seeing their reflection in a mirror can cause anxiety, anger, or even hysterical terror.
If your older adult starts acting irrationally without any clear triggers, look around the room for mirrors or reflective surfaces.
Differences in lighting could also accidentally create a mirror effect. For example, in the evening and night an uncovered window looks like a mirror because the inside of the house is bright and the outside is dark.
We explain why mirrors and dementia can cause problems and share 10 creative ideas for covering mirrors to eliminate them as sources of fear and anxiety in dementia.
Why are mirrors and Alzheimer’s a bad combination?
Experts think that people with dementia fear mirrors because they don’t understand that they’re seeing a reflected image of themselves.
They don’t recognize the person they see and think that a stranger has suddenly appeared near them.
Being startled by this “intruder” can make them so confused and upset that they react completely irrationally. They might resist your attempts to calm them or explain that they’re safe.
A fear of mirrors could also be a reason why some seniors with dementia refuse to bathe or become agitated in the bathroom. They might be afraid because “that stranger” is always present for these personal activities.
Read the full article to get further information.
