14/04/2026
‘I don’t know you. You’re stealing from me. I want to go home.'
Delusions can be one of the most challenging symptoms of dementia. They often appear as paranoia, false accusations, or a belief that familiar people or places have changed.
As dementia progresses, the brain can struggle to link memories, information and context correctly. This can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations and false conclusions.
Sensory changes (like reduced hearing or vision), medication effects, loneliness and unfamiliar environments can also increase the risk.
You can support someone experiencing delusions by:
- Acknowledging their feelings
- Avoiding arguing or correcting
- Gently exploring what might be behind the belief
- Offering reassurance and a calm presence
- Helping look for misplaced items if theft is suspected
- Remembering that their accusations aren't personal
Understanding why delusions occur can make it easier to respond with patience and empathy 💙
[Image description: An infographic titled 'Delusions and paranoia in dementia can look like' features seven illustrations depicting the following text: Believing their home isn’t their home; Suspecting someone; is stealing from them; Feeling watched; Believing their partner is being unfaithful; Feeling people are conspiring against them; Thinking people want to poison them; and Believing a loved one is an imposter An Alzheimer's Society logo is positioned in the bottom right corner of the graphic.]
