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They won't believe it when I tell them the correct day. They also believe they have been waiting for several days for the day they think it is.

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Here are some guidelines I found very helpful when interacting with my elders who have cognitive impairment:

Rules for engaging our loved ones with dementia:

1) Agree, do not argue

2) Divert, do not attempt to reason

3) Distract, do not shame

4) Reassure, do not lecture

5) Reminisce, do not ask “Do you remember…?”

6) Repeat, do not say “I told you”

7) Do what they can do, don’t say “you can’t”

8) Ask, do not demand

9) Encourage, do not condescend

10) Reinforce, never force


The overall goals should be to:

1) keep them as calm and peaceful as possible 
     (because they are less and less able to bring themselves to this state on their own)

2) keep them physically protected in their environment and from predatory people

3) keep them nourished with healthy foods that they will accept without fighting or forcing

4) keep them in as good a health condition as is possible, that their financial resources will allow and within their desires as expressed in a Living Will (aka Advance Healthcare Directive) 

5) keep them pain-free as possible and within their desires as expressed in a Living Will (aka Advance Healthcare Directive)

The caregiving arrangement needs to work for both the receiver and the giver. If it is onerous to the caregiver, then the arrangement is NOT working. Alternative types of care must be considered to avoid caregiver burnout. 
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Geaton777
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Please don’t correct your spouse or try to convince of anything. It’s a waste of your effort and may be inadvertently cruel, causing further confusion. Your spouse sadly cannot reason anymore. Accept this and reassure your spouse rather than correct. I’m sorry you’re in this sad place and wish you both peace
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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Are you asking for your spouse? Who are they?
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Reply to MACinCT
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You don't mention that your spouse has dementia, but it sure sounds like they have it, and you living in denial about it and trying to argue with them about what day it is is the worst thing you can do at this point.
Time to educate yourself about the horrific disease of dementia, so you can better help your spouse.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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Don't try to correct them. It is useless. And makes them feel even more confused.

Does your spouse have dementia? If you don't know, this would be a good time to see a neurologist who can do some testing and make a diagnosis. Then, learn all you can about their condition.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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That's pretty normal for dementia. My mom is starting to show signs of mixing days up. She also has a UTI, which is part of it. Has your wife been tested for a UTI? You just can't argue with a dementia patient. Her brain is not functioning as it used to.
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Reply to JustAnon
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