Why Mirrors Confuse People with Dementia (And How to Fix It!)

Why do mirrors confuse people with dementia? If your loved one suddenly avoids mirrors or reacts fearfully to their reflection, you’re not alone. Many dementia caregivers notice this behavior, and it’s all tied to how the brain perceives images. In this video, we break down the surprising reasons behind this phenomenon, from depth perception issues to mirror illusions. More importantly, we’ll share simple, practical strategies to make your home a dementia-friendly space—helping your loved one feel safer and less anxious.

📌 Inside this video, you’ll learn:
✅ Why dementia patients might mistake their reflection for a stranger
✅ How lighting and positioning impact mirror confusion
✅ Easy ways to reduce anxiety and distress related to reflections
✅ A real-life caregiver story that will change how you see mirrors forever

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DISCLAIMER:
This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Full details here:

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ABOUT DR. NATALI EDMONDS & CAREBLAZERS
I’m Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist specializing in older adults. One day, while hiking a trail, I came up with the idea for Careblazers and decided to see if posting videos online could provide help to the many Careblazers in the world who don’t have access to in-home support.

Our mission? To make dementia caregiving easier for families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal, Lewy body, vascular dementia, or any other type of dementia. We believe that to create a more dementia-friendly world, we must first create a caregiver-friendly world. That’s why we provide free educational videos like this one—so anyone with an internet connection can access dementia care information.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:32 The Brain & Perception Changes in Dementia
02:00 Real-Life Stories of Mirror Confusion in Dementia
03:01 How to Help: Covering Mirrors & Adjusting the Environment
05:00 Key Takeaways & Care Collective Support

[m.bristol]

My friend, at first, was petrified of the mirror. She thought there were ghosts in the mirror. That one for a while, but then she became enamored with her reflection in the mirror, and thought it was a new friend. She actually became best friends with the person in the mirror. Then we would have trouble actually ever getting her to leave the mirror. God bless her, it was so confusing.

[jbzipperer]

My brother with young onset dementia began talking to his mirror reflection. There was never fear, just a pleasant-sounding conversation, with laughter. At first he would do this for a few minutes at a time throughout the day. Later, it became hours per day, with gradually more intense conversations, and the Emory Memory Clinic advised us to cover the mirrors.

[smylingsam]

Thank you for this video, it was done with considerable compassion! I am autistic, have a head injury and a balance issue. there is huge cross over with depth perception issues, "flashing lights" aka reflections and that sudden start of "who is that, oh its just me again". Folks often comment on my total of lack of mirrors and shiny surfaces .

[AgingOnYourTerms]

My 84 year old MIL doesn't believe it's her in the mirror because that woman is OLD, and she is not. But she must look in the mirror because of vanity concerns she's had since she was a child. I am lucky our caregiver has experience with dementia patients and talks her down.

[Beatriz-loqh]

Hi, I would love to see a video where you give some tips about designing a room and other living spaces considering the common needs for people with dementia.
I’m an architect and my grandparents are soon moving into our house, the change is going to be though as it is, considering my parents want to spend the least amount of time and money possible, but I want to do everything I can to make them feel comfortable. Also, that information is so valuable for everyone who designs a space for their loved ones with dementia.
thank you so much for the video, your work help so much !

[angelareimann]

Interesting and useful. My mum had periods of talking/angry chanting to her mirror image when very disturbed due to refusal of medication years ago. Now, in early dementia, she loves to look at the car visor mirror when we drive somewhere. It makes me uneasy but this time around she is calm about it, no talking. Sometimes, aging improves anger issues.

[FirstLightCrafts]

My husband was afraid if he couldn’t see me when I was washing him, after turning him on his side. I actually used a mirror to help. When he saw my reflection in the mirror, which I placed on the window sill, he was fine. I had to remove the mirror before turning him back as seeing two images of me also confused him. That way, the mirror was an aide. - Dawn 🌅

[familynash]

WOW - my Mom had these issues. Wish I had seen this video years ago. It would have been such a great help understanding my Mom's actions/behaviors,

[STONEALICIOUS]

Mom waves at people on tv. It's positive but still sad. And believes it's snowing out of it's snowing in a commercial. She has HUGE deck door and livingroom windows. Often especially at night has distorted perception. For now, gets over it. Not in a position to cover them up but it would be warmer. 😔 Thank you for this message it is helpful.

[JaneJones-pu]

I covered the ones in the bathroom because my husband thought someone else was using it and wanted to wait. The one in the bedroom is different. He waves goodnight to his reflection and checks to see if that guy's there again. 😁❤❤

[newlycelebrities]

I havent seen this with my grandmother yet but its good to know its a thing. If it becomes an issue I will be prepared for it!

[lindy]

For a long time, my husband would tell me there's a guy in the kitchen walking around and was scared about it. I had a mirror in the area. Removed it and no more talk about it. Calm down big time.

[suzandelintsch]

Many thanks, great info, is the depth perception problem more of a problem with Lewy body dementia?

[yolandivanderwesthuizen]

My mom talks to the lovely old lady in the mirror. The lady in the mirror is older than she.

[JuanitasGrandaughter]

Mom isn't avoiding the mirror, but she IS avoiding the twice a week showers at the care facility. She feels no one should be telling her how or when to care for herself, yet does not do it herself. She is visibly greasy and dirty, and starting to smell.😮‍💨I know this is part of the journey, but no idea how I can encourage without getting her stubbornness up.

[TimelessjewelbyDebra]

It's been 2 yrs of no mirrors or covered mirrors, glass cabinets, microwave, oven, windows all covered.Shadow on the ground and all glass of car windows, mirrors even his reflection on the car, freaks him out. I was praying that it was just a phase, but 2yrs..argh..

[IsakSmith-cuys]

Me I also get scared if I look in the mirror

[kathyclarke]

One day I couldn’t find my loved one he was being very quiet. So I went upstairs in our bathroom area we have a mirror in the sink and the toilet is in a separate room with the shower. And there he was laughing and talking and telling stories to the image in the mirror❤So I said to him why don’t you and your friend come down and eat dinner😊

[elizabethprevost]

My dad was seeing his shadow and was trying to get away from it. He thought someone was coming at him and was very close to him. As I observed how he was reacting to the shadow and saw him start to get upset I said to my dad I see your shadow. Do you see it is close to you? He said no it's a person who is really close to me. I repeated in a calm voice dad it is just you and me here. I see your shadow from the kitchen lights. He then paused and moved slightly and somehow he focused closer and noticed it was his shadow. He then calmed himself and reacted saying it is my shadow.

Thank you for this mirror video this has answered my concern why he is in his room in middle of night screaming at someone to get out. When I check on him he is saying there is a person sitting in the chair which is next to the mirror. I removed the pillows, hats, and other items that were in his room thinking these items are giving him the impression of many people in his room, yet he still says there are people, and at times cats in his room. I believe the mirror is what can be contributing to these outbursts. He does not have cats although we grew up with having cats in the house.

[cathybond]

I think, for myself it’s for a few seconds, that it’s my mother in the mirror. In my mind I’m still in my early 30’s, so the older woman who stares back at me is my mom. It usually only lasts a few seconds before I snap back to normal.