“She Stopped Being Racist”: 30 People With Dementia Who Said The Funniest Things To Their Dearest

Amongst all the lighthearted moments, it's important to understand the reality that caregivers navigate every day. According to the Alzheimer's Association, dementia is not a specific disease. Rather, it's an umbrella term for a decline in mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily life.

It's caused by damage to brain cells, which affects a person's ability to think, remember, and communicate. While memory loss is the most well-known symptom, dementia also impacts focus, reasoning, and judgment.

In the early stage, a person can still be very independent, but may experience noticeable memory lapses. The middle stage is typically the longest, and this is where many of the unfiltered and surreal moments shared in this list can occur. As the disease progresses, social filters can fade, and the part of the brain that says "you probably shouldn't say that out loud" isn't working as it used to.

This collection of stories was sparked by a now-famous viral video where a nurse recounted a bizarre comment she received from one patient. The curious part is, the comment refers to events from 1865, a time the patient could not possibly have been alive. So, if it’s not a memory, what is it?

Carol Bradley Bursack, an elder care consultant, explains that this is called confabulation, a common symptom in mid-to-late-stage dementia. The brain, struggling with significant memory gaps, will essentially create a plausible, though often historically or personally inaccurate, story to fill in the blanks.

A person experiencing confabulation is not lying; they genuinely believe these created memories are true. Their brain's filing system is damaged, so it grabs bits and pieces of information from books, movies, or historical events learned long ago and misapplies them to the present reality, leading to these deeply strange and often hilarious moments.

When a loved one says something that is so clearly factually wrong, our first instinct is to correct them. However, Dr. Andrew E. Budson explains that this is often the worst possible approach when dealing with dementia. He says that directly fighting or arguing with a false memory is not only ineffective but can be actively harmful, leading to increased distress for the patient.

The key, Dr. Budson advises, is to remember that the person genuinely believes their false reality. Arguing with them is like arguing with you about what you had for breakfast; it feels like a personal attack. Instead of correcting, the recommended approach is to "go with the flow."

Acknowledge their reality, validate the emotion behind it, and then gently redirect the conversation. The goal is not to win a factual debate but to maintain a positive, trusting connection and ensure your loved one feels safe and understood, even if their reality doesn't match our own.

Beyond false memories, dementia often brings a collection of quirky, strange, and sometimes surprisingly sweet new behaviors as the brain's wiring changes. As explained by the neuro-health company Optoceutics, these shifts are a core part of the condition, and there are several common behaviors that can be observed in people with dementia.

One caregiver shared that their patient constantly believes it's their 18th birthday, a happy memory the brain has decided to joyfully live in on repeat. Another noted that deep-seated prejudices, like racism, simply vanished, as if the part of the brain that held on to that learned negativity had been wiped clean.

And while it can be painful, not recognizing a child can sometimes lead to a sweet new beginning, like the parent who gossips about their kids, to their kids, as if they were new best friends instead!

Being a caregiver for someone with dementia is one of the most emotionally and physically demanding roles anyone can undertake. The daily challenges can be immense, which is why finding moments of light is not just a bonus; it's a crucial survival strategy.

As caregiving experts at Onyx Home Care emphasize, it is essential for caregivers to consciously look for opportunities to find joy and stay positive, both for their own well-being and for the person they are caring for. The stories shared in this list are a perfect example of this principle in action.

By choosing to embrace the surreal humor of a situation rather than fight it, these caregivers are finding a way to connect with their loved ones in the present moment. These flashes of laughter don't erase the heartbreak of the condition, but they are a powerful reminder of the enduring love that shines through, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Do you have any hilarious anecdotes to share from your experiences with dementia? Share your stories in our comment section!