Elderly Suspicions of Theft May Signal Dementia, Doctor Warns

An elderly woman's frequent accusations of her daughter-in-law stealing money were initially dismissed as marital discord. However, a deeper look revealed a more serious issue: dementia.

Dr. Chou Po-han, director of the Chou Po-han Psychiatry Clinic, explained that "delusion of theft" is a common psychiatric symptom of dementia. This often stems from memory loss, where the individual forgets where they placed items and, unable to recognize their memory lapse, rationalizes that someone must have stolen them. Family members and caregivers are frequently the targets of these suspicions.

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Elderly individuals frequently suspecting family members of theft, especially when accompanied by memory decline, may be experiencing early signs of dementia.

In the case of Mrs. Chen, 65, her family noticed her repeating questions and frequently misplacing items like cash and keys. She would forget she had already eaten meals and was unable to recall where she put important documents. Her cognitive decline was so significant that her brain age was estimated to be around 80, far exceeding normal aging.

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Delusion of theft is one of the most common psychiatric symptoms of dementia.

Dr. Chou emphasized that dementia is not solely about memory loss. It can also manifest as emotional and behavioral changes. He urged families not to dismiss these changes as mere stubbornness or relationship issues. If an elder experiences memory decline, repetitive questioning, lost items, suspicion of theft, impaired judgment, or errors in familiar tasks, it warrants a cognitive assessment.

Early detection through traditional psychological tests, digital cognitive assessments, and blood tests can help manage dementia. Prompt diagnosis allows for better care strategies, potentially slowing disease progression and improving the quality of life for both patients and their families. For those needing caregiving support, the 1966 long-term care service hotline is available.

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The earlier dementia is detected, the more likely patients and their families are to adjust care methods early, which helps delay disease progression and allows patients and their families to achieve a better quality of life.