The Challenges of Mirrors for Someone with Alzheimer’s
Donna Nichols • September 8, 2022
Did you know that for someone with Alzheimer’s, seeing their reflection in a mirror can cause anxiety, anger, and sometimes even terror?
If your loved one starts acting irrational, look around the room to see if there are any mirrors. If so, remove them and see if their behavior improves.
Why would mirrors agitate someone with Alzheimer’s you ask?
You have to remember that the Alzheimer’s brain doesn’t work like a normal brain anymore; they no longer recognize the person in that mirror. It frightens them because they think a stranger has suddenly come upon them and is standing right in front of them. This can really confuse them and upset them to where they can become hysterical, thus making it difficult to calm them down.
So, what are you supposed to do? Remove all the mirrors in the house? Well yes, some of them anyway.
Any mirrors that are not necessary should be removed from the walls and remove any decorative mirrors you may have on counters or shelves.
Creative Ways To Cover Up The Mirrors
- If you can’t remove them from the walls, cover them with a towel or a large piece of cloth. For full-length mirrors, please turn them over
so the backside shows and turn them around when you need to look in them. But, remember to turn them back over when you are finished.
- If you have mirrors on your closet doors, you can disguise them by adding decorative paper
to them. Please make sure to use calming patterns and colors; bright colors will disrupt the person with Alzheimer’s as it’s too busy and noisy for them.
- Another thing you can do is i nstall blinds over a mirror
to make it look like a window, just make sure they can’t open the blinds. If they do open the blinds and see their reflection, they will think there is a stranger standing there and it will cause them to lash out and it could become an extremely serious situation.
- You could put a nature scene poster over the mirror.
You can also decorate the mirror with stained glass; not only will it cover the mirror, but it will also be a beautiful addition to the room. Install a curtain rod over mirrors and hang curtains so you can open the curtains when you need to use the mirror. Just remember, close the curtains when you are finished.
- And please remove the mirrors from the bathrooms . The mirrors in the bathrooms are probably the ones that are the worst for Alzheimer’s patients. Try putting yourself in their place, they have no idea where they are, who they are, or who you are. They are in the bathroom (a private place) and they see their reflection in the mirror! HELP!!! There’s a stranger here!! You may possibly hear things crashing and breaking because they are trashing the bathroom.
Hopefully, some of the suggestions above can help improve the life and well-being of the Alzheimer’s client. Always remember that they do NOT think like they used to; their brain does NOT function like it used to, it does NOT remember.
Should you require additional guidance, Assisted Living Made Simple holds five (5) Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Groups a month. PLEASE find one that fits into your schedule!! You are not alone; we will be with you every step of the way!!
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Florida summers come in three flavors: hot, hotter, and what fresh hell is this? Whether you're a lifelong local or newly initiated into the Sunshine Sweat Fest, you know it’s more survival sport than season. So, how do we stay cool without losing our cool? Here’s your sun-savvy guide to getting through it. Make hydration a hobby Not just water, electrolytes are your best friends when you're sweaty. Coconut water, cucumber-mint spritzers, watermelon slices. If your drink doesn’t sparkle, chill, or drip condensation like a rom-com montage, it’s not summer-ready. Dress for success and summertime Loose, light, breathable fabrics. Cotton, linen, or the holy grail: moisture-wicking. Bonus points for sun hats and SPF clothing that make you look like a beach detective on vacation. Fans ARE your best friends Table fans, ceiling fans, handheld fans—the whole rotation. Keep them oscillating like your thoughts during a political debate. And if you’ve got a cooling towel? You’re royalty. Avoid the “Roasting Hours” From 11 AM to 4 PM, Florida turns into a convection oven. Errands, walks, and yard work? Schedule them early or late. Unless you’re trying to get baked like a Publix cookie—then by all means. Sunscreen is a lifestyle Apply, reapply, then pretend you're an influencer and do it again. Because nothing says “I’m melting” like a shoulder burn shaped like your purse strap. Eat lightly Cold meals can be your best friend—salads, chilled pasta, and fruit-forward lunches are all options. Bonus points if you serve them on plates fresh from the fridge like the true champion you are. Rest, reset, repeat If the heat’s making you crankier than a mosquito at a citronella convention, take breaks: shade, air conditioning, quiet corners. Recharge without guilt—you’re surviving a sauna with its own zip code. Florida heat might be relentless, but so are we. With humor, hydration, and a healthy dose of stubborn grace, we ride the wave and keep the ice cubes coming. Stay cool out there, friends. You’ve got this.