My Mother has early stage dementia. Took her to the Dr (Senior Care) however she does not want to continue to do Dr Visits. I am the oldest of 4 and she currently appears to have resentment for other sisters, one of which is her care person during the day because this sister does not work. My Mother is a faller, therefore she cannot be left alone at any time. She does not want to leave her home (like most) she does not want any stranger in her home and refuses to take meds that can help her. She is constantly confused. (Early dementia). She continues to tell me that others sisters are taking her money, which is not true because she continues to "hide" her money. I have to then find it and insure her that her money was not taken. She also has "sundown" which means that during the evening...she has episodes of being incoherent. You could be speaking to her and she will appear that she understands...then all of a sudden...she goes into a trance saying that people are in the room sitting in a chair that is not there.
My QUESTION...should you be honest with dementia patients telling them stuff that may depress them? To what extent should you be honest? If another family members feels that my mother shows favorites, should my mother be told this?
And, I agree that it sounds like more than early dementia from what you have described.
The time has passed where adult siblings can go to mom and have a heart to heart about whatever is bothering them. It's an undue burden on your mom and it's selfish to want to share something like that with someone who can't reason anymore. The sibling who feels as if mom is showing favorites is an adult (I'm assuming) and should deal with that issue on his/her own like an adult. Why drag your mom into family squabbles?