Right now
They are looking for someone
What may be happening
They may be living in a year when that person was present, or reaching for whoever meant safety. Being told that person has died can land as fresh grief, over and over.
What to try right now
- Ask about the person instead of correcting the timeline.
- Let them talk; the searching often eases once the person has been honoured out loud.
- Bring in a photo, a song, or an object connected to them.
- Move gently into something shared once the urgency softens.
Try saying
"Tell me about her. What was she like?"
"She's not here right now. Stay with me and tell me about her."
"You must miss her a lot."
A Bella Box item that may help
Bella offers practical, dementia-informed suggestions. This is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are worried about someone’s health or safety, contact their care team or local emergency services.