What to Do When Mirrors Upset Someone With Dementia
Changes in perception mean that mirrors can upset someone with dementia. He or she may believe reflections are actual people. A moving image spotted across a room may look like an intruder. Even one's own reflection may go unrecognized and be perceived as someone else, a common source of embarrassment or agitation at bath time. (Often caregivers are puzzled for weeks about what causes an upset reaction in certain circumstances, only to finally discover it was a simple reflection.) On the other hand, some people befriend their reflection and talk to it!
What can you do about mirrors if they're a problem?
Simply remove them from all rooms in the house. Keep handheld mirrors in drawers for your personal use.
Drape a large cloth or towel over the mirror in the bathroom as needed.
Remove the door on a mirrored medicine cabinet and just leave open shelving. Be sure to remove any medications that might be taken accidentally.
