We had something similar with my grandfather. He thought people were stealing from him, even though he was the only one home. What helped a lot was creating little visual reminders, like labeling drawers or putting up a note that says “All is safe, nothing is missing.” It gave him something concrete to see when his mind started spinning. I also found this article super useful — https://myallamericancare.com/academy/dementia-and-paranoia/ Dementia and Paranoia — especially the part about not arguing and just going along with their reality in a calm way. It really shifted how I approach those moments.
My mom has been getting really suspicious lately — thinking someone’s sneaking into her room or that I’m hiding her mail. This isn’t like her at all, and it’s honestly been heartbreaking. At first, I tried to reason with her, but that just made things worse. Lately, I’ve been distracting her with music or light conversation when she gets worked up, and sometimes it helps. Has anyone found something that consistently calms the paranoia or helps them feel more secure?
Reading through this makes me realize how different the journey is for each family. My uncle doesn’t deal with paranoia, but we face other challenges that are just as tough in their own way. It’s the emotional toll that gets you — trying to stay patient, gentle, and supportive when you’re running on empty. These shared stories help more than people probably realize.
