There may be some confusion after reading this title, particularly if you’re not familiar with what confabulations are. What you will likely be familiar with, however, are the symptoms. It can be hard to deal with a parent who is confabulating, and even more challenging to respond appropriately. If they suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or some other memory-related illness, the question of whether or not your loved one is lying to you may come up. How do you know that you’re being given reliable information?
Much of the time, you may already know that something isn’t true, even though your loved one is telling you it is. Things didn’t really happen the way the person recollects. In other cases, however, what your parent says to you may be all you have on which to rely. They may say that they complied with the directives of their doctor or that they saw a healthcare provider – but you won’t know for sure. As a symptom of dementia, Alzheimer’s, or some other memory-related affliction, confabulation is not uncommon. There are, however, other causes as well.
Here, we will offer some communication and coping techniques to guide you through this emotionally draining time.
Coping with Confabulation
If you have a parent who confabulates, there are ways to cope with it appropriately. Things may improve by following the suggestions listed here. Additionally, anything that creates calm and stability will be of assistance.
Emotional Responses And Regulation
When your parent confabulates, here’s how you should respond:
- Allow information processing time for your parent.
- Don’t get angry or argue with them. Stay calm.
- Minimize distractions.
- Reduce the number of people in the room, loud noises, and other environmental stressors.
- Use simple, clear language.
Understanding Confabulation
This stands a better chance of going well if the purpose of confabulation is understood. It will assist you in responding compassionately and with care:
- For reassurance, creating an alternate reality is a way of filling in memory gaps.
- If a person doesn’t know an answer to the question they were asked, it’s disempowering. They can regain control over their surroundings and gain relevance by confabulation.
- Confusion and memory loss overwhelm and confuse people with dementia. Their situation makes more sense through confabulation.
Memory Books
For the important events in your loved one’s life, create a scrapbook or photo album – a memory book, if you will. If your loved one loses track of the past and starts confabulating, comfort and stability can be provided by these memory books.
Use Therapy Techniques With Validation
You can approach adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s using reassurance, comfort, and empathy – validation therapy is invaluable. Rather than getting mad or correcting the person who is confabulating, try the following:
- Don’t correct. Rather, reassure.
- What’s behind the false memory? Acknowledge the emotion.
- Talk and reminisce about the past.
- Breathe deeply. Stay focused and calm.
Rely on Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley To Recognize and Appropriately Handle Confabulation
For individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other memory-related issues, we, at Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley, both understand and are aware of how to deal with confabulation. With our SHINE Memory Care, we use proven data to scientifically devise methods that facilitate engagement and comprehension in your loved one.
Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley offers the highest level of care and respect for all residents only by employing team members that are experienced and professional.
Contact us at 484.212.6577 to find out how your loved one can benefit from our memory care program. Better yet, use our convenient online form to schedule a tour or ask questions.
