Describes common communication behaviors in individuals with dementia.

2. Individuals with dementia may confabulate – that is, say
things that may not be true.
Importantly, the individual is not lying, and is not
attempting to intentionally deceive you.
Confabulation is a product of a misinterpretation of
memories.

3. Signs of jealousy or suspicions often accompany
dementia.
Symptoms of paranoia often accompany confabulation,
and can be very unsettling.

4. Individuals with dementia may repeat
questions/statements/stories over and over again –
this is called perseveration.
While typically harmless, this behavior can be stressful
for caregivers, and for volunteers.

5. People with dementia may yell, shout, curse, etc.
Attention-getting behaviors can also involve shadowing,
where the individual with dementia follows the
caregiver around, imitating and constantly asking
questions.
These outbursts can be triggered by anger or stress,
and are often stressful for both the individual and the
caregiver.

6. Family Caregiver Alliance. (2004). Caregiver's guide to
understanding dementia behaviors. Retrieved from
https://www.caregiver.org/caregivers-guide-
understanding-dementia-behaviors