As dementia progresses, individuals may forget pivotal moments, like the death of a loved one. Repeatedly learning this painful truth can cause significant emotional distress, but caregivers may also feel guilt at the thought of lying. This episode of Defy Dementia explores the ethics and benefits of compassionately reshaping the truth when communicating with a person living with dementia. Catherine Mulvale shares her experiences grappling with this challenge when caring for her mother, Anne. Then, Registered Nurse Ben Hartung discusses his research on “ethical lies” in dementia care. Tune in for an insightful discussion on this challenging topic and gain practical tips to provide comfort while managing the complexities of dementia care.

Resources

<ul><li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/lying-to-someone-with-dementia" target="_blank">Is it ok to lie to someone with dementia?</a> – from Alzheimer’s Society</li><li><a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/difficult-questions-and-telling-truth-dementia" target="_blank">Difficult questions and telling the truth to a person with dementia</a> – from Alzheimer’s Society</li><li>·<a href="https://teepasnow.com/blog/3-tips-to-help-you-avoid-therapeutic-lying-in-dementia-care/" target="_blank">3 tips to help you avoid therapeutic lying in dementia care</a> – from Positive Approach to Care</li></ul>