Why are mirrors often difficult for people with dementia?
My mom didn’t seem to have anxiety or fear when she viewed herself in a mirror, but I could tell she was wary of the person in the image. Momma was always gracious and hospitable, so it didn’t surprise me that she would sometimes think the image peering back at her in the mirror was someone visiting her home. I believe mom viewed herself as younger than her mirror image, so didn’t think that she was that older woman in the mirror. Mom’s mirror confusion was evidenced by her sometimes having an entirely sweet little chat with the other person.
The only time I noticed heightened concern was when mom would see her reflection in the mirror on her way into the bathroom–a place where most people prefer privacy. She would occasionally think the bathroom was occupied and then turn around and say something like, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were in here. I’ll come back later.”
Entirely sweet too, but sometimes this would lead to missed opportunities to make it to the bathroom on time.
Interesting note–her little hand mirror didn’t seem to cause any perception problems at all. Perhaps it was because it could be tucked away in a drawer if she didn’t want to look at her image any longer.Maybe it was because the image was just of her face and not her stooped over and aging body. I don’t know, but her hand mirror remained a prized possession well into her journey with dementia.
Visual perception problems can be challenging for those caring for someone they love who is dealing with dementia. I hope that Dr. Natali’s brief video will give you insight into this dementia behavior and practical suggestions for this stage of your caregiving journey.
Barefoot Lily Lady 