امرأة عمرها ٨٤ سنة عندها زهايمر متوسط، في دار رعاية. صارت مضطربة قرب المساء وتسأل الممرض مراراً أين أمها ومتى ستأتي لأخذها للبيت. أمها متوفاة منذ ٣٠ سنة. أي رد أنسب؟

An 84-year-old woman with moderate Alzheimer’s in a care home becomes agitated in the evening and repeatedly asks the nurse where her mother is and when she will take her home. Her mother died 30 years ago. Which response is most appropriate?

1. Insistently correct every wrong statement he makes
2. Acknowledge his feelings and gently redirect
3. Tell him bluntly that she died years ago
4. Ignore the question and leave the room

Answer: B) Acknowledge his feelings and gently redirect. In moderate to advanced dementia, repeatedly confronting a painful truth can cause fresh grief each time. Responding to the feeling behind the question and redirecting gently (validation) is better.