Mirrors and reflections can terrify seniors with dementia

Did you know that mirrors can be very disturbing for someone with dementia? For some people, seeing their reflection in a mirror can cause anxiety, anger, or even hysterical terror.

If your older adult starts acting irrationally, look around the room for mirrors or reflective surfaces. Differences in lighting could also accidentally create a mirror effect. For example, in the evening and night an uncovered window looks like a mirror because the inside of the house is bright and the outside is dark.