What a tough moment — finding the money in her purse was a relief, but the emotional upset is real and completely understandable. Misplacing items and believing others have stolen them is actually a very common symptom of Alzheimer's called "accusatory behavior." It can be heartbreaking to witness.
Here are some gentle Show Full Answer
What a tough moment — finding the money in her purse was a relief, but the emotional upset is real and completely understandable. Misplacing items and believing others have stolen them is actually a very common symptom of Alzheimer's called "accusatory behavior." It can be heartbreaking to witness.
Here are some gentle ways to handle these moments:
- Stay calm and reassuring — Avoid arguing or trying to "prove" what happened, as it can increase distress
- Help her search together — Make it feel like a team effort rather than correcting her
- Validate her feelings — Say something like "I understand you were worried, let's check together"
- Keep a routine for valuables — Designate one safe, consistent spot for important items like money
- Limit large cash amounts — Consider smaller amounts to reduce anxiety around money
Going forward, it may help to gently guide her to always place money in the same spot after getting it from the bank. Over time, these episodes may become more frequent, so having a calm, consistent response ready can make a big difference for both of you.
Talking with her doctor about these behavioral changes is also a good idea, as they may have additional strategies to help.
August 14
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