My 89 yo mother never used to lie (that I or my sister knew of). Now she's lying to our faces. Examples: Says she didn't ask my other sister for ice cream when she did, says her signing a contract with my brother in law was her idea, when it wasn't (brother in law took advantage). We tracked her and these are actual LIES. Also, she hides candy wrappers and tells her caregiver not to tell us. The caregiver has known her for five years and agrees this is strange. I asked Mom why she lies and she says "I don't know". Is this normal elderly behavior? Is this part of dementia? We asked her geriatrician who seems to not know if lying is part of being elderly and lower brain function or something. I will say Mom's memory has been failing for years and this year is the worst decline.
Bonding with the caregiver is also common. Asking not to tell you things happens. It’s good that it’s only candy wrappers. I would feel bad that she thought you were the candy police. If she can’t control how much she eats, maybe make it less available.
Confabulation is confusing at first because it is new behavior for YOU and the family and the caregiver to be on the watch for.
Don’t argue with her or try to convince her that what she is saying isn’t true. It will just upset both of you and someone that she trusts trying to tell her something different from what her brain “knows” is crazy making.
And please don’t say she is lying, as that’s hurtful.
The best thing you can do is to learn all you can about dementia online, and to pick up a copy of The 36 Hour Day which is a reference guide to help you with questions. Also watch some Teepa Snow videos on YouTube to learn how to deal with demented elders in general. Don't take it personally that mother is 'lying'; she's telling you HER version of HER truth, as she sees it.
There's nothing 'normal' about dementia and no, dementia is not part of normal elderly behavior. Dementia is a condition where the brain no longer works properly and continues to deteriorate over time.
Wishing you good luck on your journey to learn all about what's going on with your mom.
My mom is 78 and having lots of memory issues. She lies too. Annoying. But is it a lie if they really can't remember?? I just expect nothing. She tells my sister one thing, me another. I think it's just because she's so confused she just basically confabulates everything.